December 10, 2014 Community Happenings

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Category: News

Created on Wednesday, 10 December 2014 12:54

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Sitka Receives Two Awards

From State Municipal League

Sitka took home two awards from the Alaska Municipal League Annual Local Government Conference, held in Anchorage on Nov. 19-21.

The first award for Sitka was an AML Community Award for the Sitka Health Summit/Citizen Health Initiative. The Health Initiative was created with the goal of building an effective partnership between the two hospitals and local stakeholders with which to collaborate and achieve concrete health and wellness goals. Three of the many successes that have come from the Sitka Health Summit are the Bicycle Community Award, raising funds for new bike racks, biking workshops and a National Bike to Work Week contest; the Sitka Farmers Market/St. Peter’s Fellowship Farm; and the Fish to Schools Program.

Past Assembly member Mike Reif was selected as the Alaska Municipal League Elected Official of the Year.  He has served as deputy mayor and was on the Assembly from 1991-1994 and again from 2011-2014. He also served on the Planning Commission, Home Rule Charter Commission, the Sitka Investment Committee, and the Sitka School Board.

He has lived in Sitka for more than 30 years, constructing energy-efficient homes and taking part in charter  and commercial fishing.

He has been a well-respected public servant, intent on volunteering, while yet assuring his community’s financial stability for future generations, the league said in giving the award.  

No School

Students and staff of the Sitka School District will be on winter vacation beginning Dec. 20. School will resume Jan. 6. All school offices and the district office will be closed Dec. 22-Jan. 2, 2015. 

Maintenance and Community Schools will be open during the winter break, except Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1.  

Sitka Veterans

Invited to Meet

Sitka veterans are invited to meet 5-6:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Community Health Building on the SEARHC campus, first floor conference room, across from the main entry.

On the agenda will be the organization of the Sitka Veterans Association. All veterans are invited to help organize the group.

‘‘There is a real need for us to organize, as we have raised monies to assist veterans and their families, established a 501c non-profit to seek grants and state funding for other endeavors, such as creating a veteran memorial park, going after housing for disabled and homeless veterans, and many more,’’ the organization said.

For further information call George at 738-3688.

Affordable Housing

Programs in Sitka

The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is accepting applications for two affordable housing programs in Sitka.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program helps eligible low-income Alaskans lease rental units. Families whose income is at or below 50 percent of the area median income are being encouraged to apply. Subject to certain requirements, the family will be placed on a waiting list. As vouchers become available, they will be invited to attend a briefing session and issued a voucher. Once the family secures an approved rental unit, AHFC will subsidize rent payments.

The other AHFC program, the public housing program, provides safe, affordable rental units for families whose income is at or below 80 percent of the area median income. It operates in a similar fashion to the Housing Choice Voucher Program by providing access to affordable rental units, but does not include a rent subsidy.

Applications can be found at www.ahfc.us/rent or at the Sitka office at 422 Andrews Street.

AHFC is a public corporation with a long history of providing Alaskans access to safe, quality and affordable housing through home financing programs, energy efficiency and weatherization programs, public housing and more, a press release said. Since 1986, AHFC has contributed $1.9 billion to the State of Alaska’s General Fund.

Winter Yard Birds

Subject of Talk

Matt Goff will present “Yard Birds of Winter: a Flicker of Light in the Season of Darkness” 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28 at Kettleson Memorial Library.

Goff will talk about, as well as show pictures of, birds, both common and uncommon, that visit Sitka feeders this time of year.  The program is for both new birders and birder enthusiasts, and it will help prepare potential participants for the upcoming Christmas Bird Count.

Contact 747-8708 with questions.

Discovery Days to

Explore ‘Fossils’

Discovery Days at the Sitka Sound Science Center 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 13 will explore ‘‘Fossils.’’

Attendees will take a close look at the center’s fossil collection, including everything from ancient corals to ferns.

Discovery Days are SSSC current annual pass holder and member events. Memberships can be purchased at the door with family memberships starting at $90 or individual memberships, $30 a year.

For more information contact Ashley at 747.8878 ex.3 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Film Series Set

At National Park

Have you ever dreamed of exploring remote, untouched wilderness areas in Southeast Alaska, or traipsing through the unforgiving and isolated terrain within Gates of the Arctic National Park?

All are invited to explore both of these contrasting landscapes at the  Sitka National Historical Park’s theater during the first of a series of free winter film screenings to be held 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. A repeat matinee will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.

The free film showings will include two features. The award-winning documentary ‘‘The Meaning of Wild’’ (30 minutes) highlights the rich and diverse wildlife and landscapes of the Tongass rainforest. Following ‘‘The Meaning of Wild,’’ viewers will head north to explore the rugged environment protected within ‘‘Gates of the Arctic National Park.’’ The 30-minute film highlights the cultural history of this vast landscape and the striking and harsh natural environment above the Arctic Circle. 

Free popcorn will be provided. Attendees to the film screening will also be eligible to win door prizes provided by the Sitka Conservation Society. 

The winter film festival is being jointly presented by Sitka National Historical Park, Sitka Conservation Society and the Sitka Sound Science Center.

Presbyterians

Set Meetings

“Renewal of Our Commitment to Christ and to One Another at First Presbyterian” will be presented Dec. 14 and 21 at the First Presbyterian Church.

Topics will be ‘‘Christmas and who was the ‘babe in the barn?’’’ and ‘‘The benefits of worshiping, growing and serving in the Presbyterian Church.’’

Other key topics will be addressed in an interactive forum. Renewal seminars are at 10 a.m. and inspiring Christmas worship at 11 a.m.

Pioneers Home

Bazaar on Tap

Sitka Pioneers Home will host its annual Christmas bazaar 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, in the main lounge.

School Board Meets

The Sitka School Board will hold a work session to do a walk-through of the Performing Arts Center 6 p.m.  Dec. 15. The public is encouraged to attend.

Christmas Dinner

Volunteers Sought

A meeting for those interested in helping out at the annual Community Christmas Dinner is planned Thursday, Dec. 11.

A kitchen cook and manager; decorations team; and set-up and cleanup crew are needed. The Alaska Native Sisterhood is the sponsor this year. The group is looking for more sponsors and donations.

For time and location of meeting, and more information, call Debe Brincefield, chairperson for the community Christmas dinner at 738-4323.

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