December 19, 2014 Community Happenings

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Category: News

Created on Friday, 19 December 2014 10:49

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Sitka Summer Music Festival Receives National Endowment for the Arts Grant

The Sitka Summer Music Festival is one of 919 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive a National Endowment for the Arts Art Works grant.

The SSMF is recommended for a $20,000 grant to support their statewide mission of providing the finest classical music experience through performance and education, NEA Chairman Jane Chu announced.

The SSMF brings professional classical musicians from around the world to Alaska each year to rehearse and perform in small ensembles.

In 2015, the SSMF plans to present as many as 25 concerts and more than 40 educational and community outreach activities across the state. Performances will be held in February, April, June, July and September in Sitka, Anchorage, Fairbanks, the Northwest Arctic Borough, and at least two other communities yet to be determined.

Performers include violinist Rachel Barton Pine, pianists Navah Perlman and David Wiley, cellist Zuill Bailey, the Matt Herskowitz Trio, and the Arianna String Quartet.

“I’m pleased to be able to share the news of our support through Art Works including the award to the SSMF,’’ Chu said. ‘‘The arts foster value, connection, creativity and innovation for the American people and these recommended grants demonstrate those attributes and affirm that the arts are part of our everyday lives.” 

“We are thrilled that the NEA has chosen to fully fund our request for 2015,” said SSMF Executive Director Kayla Boettcher. “It’s wonderful to have national support for our efforts to expand our reach across the state and foster a greater appreciation for classical music among Alaskans of all ages. With help from the NEA, we can confidently plan visits to Alaska’s largest cities as well as to a few more remote locations, in addition to a full Sitka Festival in June.”

Art Works grants support the creation of art, public engagement with art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancement of the livability of communities through the arts. The NEA received 1,474 eligible applications under the Art Works category, requesting more than $75 million in funding. Of those applications, 919 are recommended for grants for a total of $26.6 million. 

For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA website at arts.gov. Follow the conversation about this and other NEA-funded projects on Twitter at #NEAFall2014. 

Founded in 1972, SSMF is Alaska’s premiere classical music presenter. The flagship four-week festival is held each June in Sitka. Two concert series are presented in Anchorage each year in September and February. In addition, Festival musicians travel to at least three other Alaska communities each year. More information is available at www.sitkamusicfestival.org.

Evangelical Mission

Event Slated Jan. 2

The public is invited to a grand evangelical mission at the Church of Christ 6 p.m. Jan. 2 at Centennial Hall.

The free event will include a Filipino food dinner and door prizes, including a chance to win 25,000 Alaska Airlines miles.

Free transportation is available by calling or texting 738-0726. For more information contact the Church of Christ at 747-3037, 738-2021, or www.incmedia.org.

Holiday Swim Set

At Blatchley Pool

A holiday swim is planned 1-2:30 p.m. Dec. 22 and 23, open to all ages.

The pool will be closed Dec. 28 through Jan. 6.

Fund Set Up for

Ailing Sitkan

A fund has been set up for Kirk Van Winkle and family.

Van Winkle has undergone surgery and is awaiting another at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle.

Friends are asking fellow Sitkans to help out with medical bills, hotel expenses and helping to keep their business running in their absence, and  by patronizing the restaurant.

To help out, go to the Facebook page set up at http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/care-for-kirk-and-marlene-van-winkle/280431 or contact Suzanne at Salon 264.

Peace Corps

Topic of Event

A slide show program on Benin, West Africa, is the topic of a program at Sitka National Historical Park 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Sitka National Historical Park.

Intern Bethany Boyer-Rechlin will present a program on her recent Peace Corps service as an environmental action volunteer in the French-speaking country.

The program will take place in the visitor center theater. Light refreshments will be provided.  

Openings Ready

At Preschool

Wooch.een Preschool has openings for 3-year-olds. Applications are available at the Rasmuson building or find one online at ccthita.org under Family Services.

Call 747-8356 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for questions. The preschool is a collaboration between Head Start, Sitka School District and Sitka Tribe of Alaska.

Landscape Design

Quilt Class Listed

Ocean Wave Quilters will host Rob Appell, who will teach seascape/landscape design quilt classes Feb. 21-23, 2015.

Appell blends his affinity for the ocean with his work as a textile artist and designer. He learned to quilt by trial and error, and brings a masculine touch to this age-old tradition.

Appell’s quilts are 100 percent machine made and focus on applique work. Rob designs quilts for Michael Miller Fabrics, has authored books, designed  quilt patterns, and produced DVDs on his techniques. He is currently inventing sewing and quilting tools, and services sewing machines in his studio in Morro Bay, Calif.

 Check with Abby’s Reflection for class availability and prices. 

Core Exercise Classes

At Community Schools

Sitka Community Schools will offer a Core exercise class, designed to improve functional strength and balance using free weights that are provided, 5:15-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Jan. 13-Feb. 26 in the Baranof Elementary School gym.

Any age, ability or gender is welcome. Individuals can start any time by attending a class. Sign up at the Community Schools office. Classes are$65 for the session. 

For more information call questions call Community Schools at 747-8670.

Kettleson Lists

Holiday Hours

Kettleson Memorial Library at the Stratton will have special hours over the holiday season.

On Dec. 24, the library will close at 4 p.m. It is closed all day Dec. 25. On Dec. 26, it will close at 6 p.m. Dec. 31 closure time is 6 p.m. The library will be closed all day Jan. 1. For further information, call 747-8708. 

Entries Sought

For Subsistence

Student Art Contest

The Federal Subsistence Management Program is sponsoring its annual art contest for Alaska students in kindergarten through 12th grades.

Deadline for submission is Feb. 2, 2015. The theme is fish and shellfish. The winner’s artwork will be published on the cover of the Subsistence Management Regulations for the Harvest of Fish and Shellfish on Federal Public Lands and Waters in Alaska book. 

The art contest offers the opportunity for young individuals to express their talent and creativity while supporting the value of subsistence in their lives. The books are distributed statewide.

Each entry must be 8.5 by 11 inches and have a fish and/or shellfish theme. All artwork must be original. Entries should be submitted to Office of Subsistence Management, Attn: Deborah Coble, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, Alaska 99503 and postmarked by February 2, 2015.

The official rules and entry forms are available by contacting Office of Subsistence Management both by phone (800) 478-1456 and by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by visiting www.doi.gov/subsistence/news/general/nr12-16-14.cfm.

UAF, CSU Accept 10 for

Joint Veterinarian ClassThe University of Alaska Fairbanks and Colorado State University joint veterinary medicine program is welcoming its first class of future veterinarians.

The program has asked 10 candidates, including five Alaska residents, to be the first students in the universities’ joint professional program, which will open its doors in the fall of 2015.

Of the Alaska residents, one undergraduate attends UAF and one studies at the University of Alaska Southeast. Two attend out-of-state universities and one is currently working in Anchorage. The remaining candidates are residents of other states.

The candidates have until April 15 to accept the offer.

Arleigh Reynolds, associate dean for UAF’s Department of Veterinary Medicine, said the professional veterinary medicine program has come a long way since its idea was conceived several years ago.

“It was exciting to get this program on its feet, hire faculty and get all the facilities ready,” he said. “But the real joy is bringing the students in and helping them reach a lifelong goal.”

The program is a partnership between UAF’s College of Natural Science and Mathematics and CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, one of the top veterinary schools in the country. Students receive their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from CSU, but their starting point is at UAF. They will take the CSU veterinary curriculum for all four years. The first two years are taught at UAF and students then complete their second two years at CSU.

The program admits 10 students per year, giving preference to Alaska residents. Residents pay the reduced tuition of approximately $28,000 their first two years while non-residents pay the full price of $56,000.

Sitka resident Chris Clement, a biology and wildlife major from UAF, received one of the offers.

“I’m really excited,” he said. “I remember when I first heard about there being a potential vet program at UAF.”

Clement said he originally had planned to attend veterinary school out of state until he saw the program developing while he attended UAF.

CNSM Dean Paul Layer said the inaugural class will be a significant milestone.

“We’re happy to have such outstanding students as candidates because they will be leading the way for others,” he said.

Services Planned

At Grace Lutheran

The congregation of Grace Harbor announced Christmas services and welcomes the community to attend.

‘‘The Reason Jesus Came,’’ based on Hebrews 10:5-7, will be the theme of services this weekend along with the singing of Christmas carols. The Saturday evening service is at 7 p.m., and the Sunday morning service at 10:30 a.m.

The candlelight Christmas Eve service will be 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24. The service will include vocal and instrumental music and the singing of the traditional Christmas hymns. Pastor Paul McArthur will present the message from Micah 5:2-5 titled ‘‘From Small Town to Savior of the World.’’

The church is located at 1904 Halibut Point Road, across from Sea Mart. For more information call 747-5706.

Tlingit New Year 

Party Dec. 21

The public is invited to a Tlingit New Year celebration 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Pioneer Park, which is located next to Sea Mart.

Learn Sitka’s Native heritage at this celebration. Attendees may take a snack to share.

 For more information call Roby at 738-4004.

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