November 7, 2014 Community Happenings

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Category: News

Created on Friday, 07 November 2014 10:34

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Veterans Day

Parade, Dinner

Set for Tuesday

The annual Veterans Day parade has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Lineup will be at Crescent Harbor at 10:30 a.m.

All veterans are encouraged to march.

Dignitaries who will be marching are Mayor Mim McConnell and State House Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.

“Everyone is invited to come out to honor our local veterans,” said George Bennett, the rural veterans liaison at SEARHC-Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital and organizer of the Sitka Veterans Association.

A community dinner will follow at 5:30 p.m. at the ANB Founders Hall. Everyone is invited to attend.  

Those having questions may call Bennett at 738-3688 or Debe Brincefield at 738-4323.

‘Sitkans Can Dance’

Event on Nov. 22

The Greater Sitka Arts Council and the Sitka Studio of Dance will host Sitkans Can Dance Nov. 22 at the Performing Arts Center.

The program is based on the two popular TV shows ‘‘Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” Solo dancers will be judged;  couple dancing is just for fun, organizers said.

A Sitka aerial silks performance and the Sitka Studio of Dance will showcase some of their dancers. For more information go to www.thinkartthinksitka or contact Jeff Budd, 747-4821. Tickets are at Old Harbor Books and at the door. The show starts at 7 p.m. and the doors open 6:30 p.m.

Sitkan Nominated

To Fish Panel

Steve Reifenstuhl is among six Alaskans nominated by Gov. Sean Parnell who were appointed by the U.S. secretary of state to serve on a panel for the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission. 

The panel serves as a forum for promoting the conservation of anadromous stocks and ecologically related species in the North Pacific Ocean; and advises the U.S. Section of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission on living marine resource conservation and high seas fishery enforcement issues.

Reifenstuhl is the general manager of Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, executive director of the Southeast Herring Conservation Alliance, and executive director of Alaska Herring Conservation Alliance. He serves on the North Pacific Research Board, Sitka Alaska Permanent Charitable Trust Board, and Sitka Economic Development Association Board.

In his spare time, Reifenstuhl competes in Ironman competitions and is a product tester for product development for Patagonia Inc. He received a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University.

Novel Writing Month

Noted at Library

November is National Novel Writing Month, and Kettleson Memorial Library is hosting Write-In Sundays each Sunday in November from 1 to 5 p.m.

Anyone who wants to write a novel in November is invited. Kettleson Library has a limited number of laptops available, so sign-up is required. Register at the library, or call 747-8708 to sign up. Participants should take their own flashdrives.  

Options Given For

SNHP Pedestrian

Replacement Bridge

Sitka National Historical Park has posted in the visitor center alternatives for the replacement of the Indian River pedestrian bridge.

Public input on the presented designs will have substantial influence on which design will become the preferred alternative in the Environmental Assessment under National Environmental Policy Act analysis, the park said.

The public can provide comments on site through Nov. 15. Visitor center hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The Indian River Pedestrian Bridge Project is being designed by the Federal Highway Administration with National Park Service input and guidance. The purpose is to maintain safe pedestrian, bicycle and other non-motorized vehicle access across Indian River within the park.

Although still safe, the current bridge is nearing the end of its 50-year design life and needs to be replaced to maintain this access and to address accessibility and bridge design standards that have changed since the time of the current bridge’s construction, the park said. 

Individuals can send written comments to SNHP Chief of Resources Brinnen Carter, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

Natural History

Seminar on Tap

The next Natural History seminar will feature Gwen Baluss presenting “Birds in the Hand and Bush: Monitoring Land Bird Populations in the Tongass National Forest’’ 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at UAS room 229.

Baluss is a wildlife technician at the Juneau Ranger District and a certified bird bander who will be in Sitka Nov. 11-16 to band juncos, sparrows and chickadees for the third year of the Sitka Bird Banding Project. 

For more information on the talk or  to help with the Sitka banding project, contact Kitty at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 747-9432.

The seminar series is supported by a grant from the Sitka Alaska Permanent Charitable Trust to the Sitka Sound Science Center and by the University of Alaska and support from the USDA Forest Service.

Story Time Set

‘‘The Odd Egg’’ by Emily Gravett will be one of the readings during the 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, preschool story time at Kettleson Memorial Library.

Alligators and crocodiles will be the theme of the program. For more information, call the library at 747-8708.

Preschool story times help to promote early literacy skills, expand children’s vocabularies and broaden and enrich their experiences, stimulating brain development, the library said.

For more information, call the library at 747-8708.

Non-Profits Sought

For Annual Funding

The Sitka White Elephant Shop is again asking other non-profit organizations to apply for annual funding. 

A non-profit grant application must be completed to qualify. Forms are available on the Sitka White Elephant Shop Facebook page; at the White E during store hours on Monday 6 to 8 p.m., Thursdays and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m.; or by calling Jan at 747 3618.

Applications must be received by Nov. 30. Funds will be distributed following the annual meeting in February.

Piano Student

Receives Degree 

Piano student Owen Fulton received a high school diploma in social music from the American College of Musicians: The National Guild of Piano Teachers Division for 2014.

Jammie Wileman, NCTM, member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers and the American College of Musicians is his teacher.

Fulton is politically active as the president of the Sitka High Student Council, volunteers his time for community service work, and has played in many different sports, both at school  and in the community.

Apart from participating in many of the high school’s musical classes and organizations, Fulton provides the community with both performances and education.

He has taught beginning violin lessons: helped organize and run recitals for younger musicians; accompanied musical theater productions; and played in the local folk band “Fishing for Cats.”

He is a senior and plans to attend college to pursue a career in education.

 Best Downtown Storefront Decorations and Costume

Sitka Chamber of Commerce 2014 Moonlight Madness

Decor, Costume

Winners Named

The Chamber of Commerce has announced its Moonlight Madness winners for downtown storefronts and costuming.

The Cellar’s coven of witches won the prize for Best Costumes with an Honorable Mention going to the Disney cast at Harry Race Pharmacy and Photo.

Best Decorations prizes go to Alaska Pure Sea Salt Company for its salted witch. The glowing squid in the window of Old Harbor Books earned them an honorable mention.

Pictures of the winners and other costumes and decorations are on the Chamber’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SitkaChamber.

Home Health, Hospice

Open House Nov. 13

In partnership with Center for Community, Sitka Community Hospital Home Health Department and Brave Heart Volunteers will host an open house to celebrate Home Health/Hospice Month in the Sitka Community Hospital lower hallway 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13.

Punch and snacks will be served, and information provided. For more information, call 747-1750.

Health Insurance Presentation and Event in Sitka

University of Alaska Southeast  and SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium will provide presentations and group enrollments for the Health Insurance Marketplace during open enrollment Nov. 15-Feb. 15. The first presentation will be 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at UAS in Room 106.

The presentation will include information about the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace and explain who is eligible, how people qualify for lower cost health coverage, and how to enroll. Signing up for insurance between Nov. 15 and Dec. 15 will ensure coverage starts Jan. 1, 2015.

On Nov. 15, a group enrollment event will take place at UAS in the Student Success Center. The event is geared towards people that are comfortable on computers. Trained staff will assist with creating accounts, adding required information, understanding eligibility for financial assistance, and explaining insurance options and enrollment.

Those who would prefer individual assistance can call SEARHC, a Certified Application Counselor agency, at 966-8883 or 966-8662 to set up an appointment. This is a free service for everyone.

Anyone attending the group enrollment events are to take: email address, household income information, dates of birth and Social Security numbers for all family members needing insurance, and immigration documents if applicable. Those currently enrolled in a Marketplace insurance plan may attend the group enrollment to update their income information and choose a new plan for a Jan. 1 start, as long as they have their Marketplace login information. 

“If you need assistance setting up an account on the Health Insurance Marketplace website and exploring your options and eligibility for lower costs, we are here to assist you,” said Andrea Thomas, outreach and enrollment manager for SEARHC. “We are trained to help you navigate the process of getting covered.”  

Individuals who did not have health insurance in place during the 2014 calendar year will be required to pay a tax penalty on their 2014 tax filings. That penalty may be as low as $95 per adult, and half that for each child, or 1 percent of income, whichever is higher. Alaskans who do not have health insurance in 2015 will face higher penalties when filing their taxes in 2016, SEARHC said.

For more information, call Andrea Thomas at 966-8883 or Allison McIntyre at 966-8662.

Honoring Elders

Gathering Listed

Sitka Tribe of Alaska invites the public to celebrate elders at a community gathering 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, in the Sheet’ka Kwáan Naa Kahídi.

Special guests will be Tribal Elder of the Year Herman Davis and Tribal Citizen of the Year Nancy Douglas.

The program includes lunch, a storytelling session, dance performances, presentation of gift baskets to elders, and door prizes. The stories will be staged by artists Bob Sam and Chuck Miller; and all local dance groups are invited to take part in a joint performance.

Tom Young III and Ray Nielsen will be the main providers of the meal of venison stew, with smoked deer ribs, and herring egg salad.

More than two dozen elder baskets will be presented at the event. Community members and organizations have been contributing items to STA. Donors are welcome to drop off their donations for the Elder Basket Project at STA offices, 456 Katlian Street.

For information, contact Sitka Tribe of Alaska at 747-3207.

White E Meet Set

The White Elephant Shop monthly meeting will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Swan Lake Senior Center. Meetings are open to the public.

Christmas Sale

At White E Slated

A Christmas sale will be noon-3 p.m. Saturday at the White Elephant Shop.

Many items will be available including trees, stands, lights, clothing, linens and other usual items. More will be added as space allows. The toys have been moved to the children’s store with a good selection still available, volunteers said. 

Boys 5K Fun Run

Listed for Nov. 15

Community members are invited to the first annual 5K Fun Run for the Boys Run I Toowú Klatseen program 10 a.m. Nov. 15 at Crescent Harbor shelter.

‘‘Share your ‘strength of spirit’ with our amazing participants as they work towards their 5K goal,’’ organizers said. ‘‘Join us as runners, course cheerleaders, or volunteer for the event.’’

Registration is available at tinyurl.com/BR-5K-2014. All are invited to the free, family-friendly celebration. Call Elena at 747-3370 for more information. 

 SEARHC Clinics

Open Veterans Day

All SEARHC health care facilities will be open during regular business hours on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

‘‘Many SEARHC patients and employees are veterans, and the organization is proud to honor the sacrifice of these men and women who helped protect our great nation and the citizens of Southeast Alaska,’’ SEARHC said.

SEARHC also reminds patients who are veterans who have not yet signed up for health care services through the VA and would like to do so to contact the SEARHC Rural Veteran Liaison George Bennett Sr. at 966-8776 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

NSRAA to Meet

Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association will hold its fall board of directors meeting 9 a.m. Nov. 12-13 at 1308 Sawmill Creek road.

Agendas are available at NSRAA. Meetings are open to all.

Barn Dance AfootA community barn dance fundraiser will be 7-9:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Odess Theater on the Sitka Fine Arts Campus. Donations at the door will benefit Sitka Fine Arts Camp.

All are invited to participate in mixers, circles and contra dances, or simply listen to the live music of Sitka’s Fishing for Cats band. Beginners and seasoned dancers of 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. Dancers are encouraged to carry clean shoes to the venue to protect the floor.

The dance is an alcohol- and smoke-free event. For more information call 747-3412.

Kaagwaantaan Meet

Sitka Kaagwaantaans will meet 2 p.m. Sunday at Blatchley Middle School.

Clan stories and songs will be shared. Call Roby at 738-4004 with questions.

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