December 9, 2014 Community Happenings

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Category: News

Created on Tuesday, 09 December 2014 10:35

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Nativity Sets

To be Displayed

The annual Silent Night nativity set display will be 4:30-7 p.m. Dec. 13 and noon-3 p.m. Dec. 14 at the United Methodist Church, 303 Kimsham St.

A new featured set this year is a 16-piece hand-painted porcelain Franklin Mint nativity set which was donated to the church by Gail Wilson from Spokane, Wash. She was looking for a new home for her treasured set and heard about the annual Sitka event.

The church is asking others in the community to share their sets and bring them to the church Dec. 9-12 during the daytime or 7-8 p.m. Set-up will be on Friday. Call the church at 747-8775 with questions.  

The public is invited to view the nativity sets and have cider and cookies.    Manger scene costumes will be available for children to wear for pictures.  Parents are reminded to take their own cameras. 

Public Health Waives

Administrative Costs

Of Influenza Vaccine

In an effort to encourage more Alaskans to get immunized against the flu, state public health centers will be waiving the standard fee for flu vaccine administration during National Influenza Vaccination Week Dec. 7-13.

National Influenza Vaccination Week is a national observance that was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination. State officials are taking this opportunity to remind residents to get vaccinated against the flu to reduce the risk of contracting influenza.

Influenza activity in Alaska has greatly increased in recent weeks and has been confirmed in all regions of the state, said to Alaska Division of Public Health Epidemiologists. The best protection against the flu is vaccination, the division said.

“Getting vaccinated as soon as possible is important so that people can develop immunity before the holiday gatherings – a time when respiratory viruses are often spread,” said Dr. Joe McLaughlin, chief epidemiologist with the Alaska Division of Public Health.

While some of the influenza A strains circulating nationally are not a great match to the vaccine, many are, and vaccination still offers the best protection we have against seasonal flu. Moreover, there is evidence that persons who received the flu vaccine and subsequently developed influenza may have milder illness and lower risk of medical complications.

Flu vaccine is available at public health centers at no charge to all children under the age of 3 years, and persons aged 3 years and older who:          do not have health insurance; have health insurance that doesn’t cover vaccines;         have health insurance but haven’t met their deductible for vaccination coverage; or have health insurance but don’t know if their health insurance covers vaccines or not.

Both injectable and nasal spray versions of this year’s flu vaccine are available while supplies last. For the location of a nearby public health center, visit http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Nursing/Pages/locations.aspx or contact the Alaska Immunization Helpline at 888-430-4321 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Chamber to Meet

Kylene Binder-Peters, program manager for the Native Procurement Technical Assistance Center, will address Chamber of Commerce members noon Wednesday at the Westmark Sitka.

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the presentation will begin at noon.

The PTAC program provides specialized and professional assistance to small and Native-owned businesses seeking to learn about and obtain contracting and subcontracting opportunities within U.S. federal, state, local and tribal government agencies.

Luncheons are open to the public. For more information, call the Sitka Chamber office at 747-8604 or visit the website at www.sitkachamber.com.

Gajaa Heen Dancers

Set Practice Time

Gajaa Heen Dancers, those in sixth through 12th grades, will have song, dance and drumming practice 6-8 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Southeast Alaska Career Center.

Call Sitka Native Education Program, 966-1356, for more information.

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