January 29, 2015 Community Happenings

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Category: News

Created on Thursday, 29 January 2015 11:11

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Library Panel

Meets Feb. 4

The next meeting of the Library Commission is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the Stratton location of Kettleson Memorial Library.

Prior notices had erroneously listed the meeting for Monday, Feb. 2. The public is welcome to attend. For further information, call Robb Farmer at 747-8708.

BMS PAC Meets

Blatchley Middle School will hold a PAC meeting 5:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 9 in the school library.

For more information contact Ben White at 966-1403.

Nonprofits Sought

For CAB Grant

  Applications are being accepted by the Holland America Line Inc. Community Advisory Board for grants to local service and non-profit groups in Sitka.

The CAB is comprised of Sitka civic and business leaders who advise Holland America Line on local corporate contributions and community involvement projects.

The Sitka CAB will be making decisions about grant applications at its next meeting sometime in March or April. Applications can be obtained by contacting Allison Hovanec, Holland America Line, 745 W 4th Avenue Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501.

Applications are due in Anchorage by the close of business on Monday, March 2. For more information on the Holland America Line community relations program, contact Allison Hovanec at (907) 264-8043 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

SEARHC Shows

Students Health

Career Options

SEARHC has openings for the Ethel Lund Village Health Occupations Program, April 20-24 in Sitka.

 Each year, SEARHC selects several Southeast-area Native students interested in health careers for VHOP, and the students spend a week at the SEARHC S’áxt’ Hít Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital learning about different health careers and educational opportunities. Last year’s group was the largest to date and included students from high schools all over Southeast Alaska.

The goal is to cultivate and encourage an interest in health care, and health careers.

Some of the activities for this year’s program include job shadowing with health care professionals at SEARHC S’áxt’ Hít Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital, hands-on activities with SEARHC dental staff, and training at University of Alaska Southeast-Sitka. The program will conclude with a graduation ceremony.

Applications from tribal citizens must be received no later than Feb. 14 to be considered. Each application must be accompanied by the student’s most recent transcript and two letters of recommendation.

For more information about the VHOP program, contact SEARHC Recruiter, Louise Brady at 966-8903 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For more information visit http://www.searhc.org/students/high-school-programs-vhop.

 AMA Reminds

Women of Heart

Disease Risk

To help women take better care of their hearts, SEARHC WISEWOMAN Women’s Health is encouraging Southeast Alaska women to join millions of Americans in celebrating National Wear Red Day on Friday, Feb. 6.

WISEWOMAN said that heart disease is the number-one killer of women in the United States.

One in two women will die of heart disease or stroke, while one in 25 women will die of breast cancer, the American Heart Association said. Heart disease kills more women than the next five leading causes of death, including all cancers combined. Heart disease also is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes.

National Wear Red Day helps make women aware of this risk and encourages them to arm themselves with the tools they need to fight heart disease by leading healthier lives.

Geared specifically for women, the symbol for Wear Red Day is the Red Dress pin. By wearing the pin, or just by wearing red on Feb. 6, individuals can send a message of support to women in their fight against heart disease.

Women in Southeast Alaska can reduce their risk for heart disease by being screened – blood pressure, cholesterol levels, glucose levels – and working to keep those numbers at healthy levels. In addition, small lifestyle changes can make a big difference in heart health, such as avoiding tobacco, eating healthier and being physically active for at least 30 minutes a day.

To schedule a screening, contact a local clinic. To learn more about women and heart disease, call the SEARHC WISEWOMAN Women’s Health Program at 1-888-388-8782 (toll-free in Alaska), or visit the “Go Red for Women” website at www.goredforwomen.org/wearredday. 

Jazz Violinist

Tolling Joins

Sitka JazzFest

Jazz violinist Mads Tolling will perform at the Sitka Jazz Festival Feb. 5-7 at the Sitka Performing Arts Center.

Tolling, internationally renowned violinist, violist and composer, is a member of the two-time Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet. As a soloist, he regularly tours as jazz violinist with acclaimed bassist Stanley Clarke and his touring band.

Since 2007 Tolling has lead his own group, Mads Tolling Quartet. Tolling has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, and his recordings have received rave reviews in Downbeat Magazine, Strings Magazine, Washington Post and the San Francisco Chronicle. He has performed with Chick Corea, Ramsey Lewis, and Kenny Barron and Paquito D’Rivera.

Tolling maintains an active touring and recording schedule as well as composing and giving master classes. In 2006 and 2008 as part of Turtle Island Quartet, Mads won two Grammy Awards for Best Classical Crossover. Tolling has received Denmark’s Sankt Annae’s Award for Musical Excellence as well as grants from Queen Margaret, the Sonning Foundation and the Berklee Elvin Jones Award.

Tolling has accomplished a thriving force in the educational aspects of jazz and improvisation. As an active Yamaha clinician, he has been involved in workshops, coaching and masters classes throughout Canada and the United States. From 2010 to the present, Tolling has remained on the faculty at Berkeley’s Jazz School Institute, primarily focusing on spreading the knowledge of jazz and groove oriented styles to string players of all ages. 

Now in its 20th year, the Sitka Jazz Festival works to bring professional jazz musicians from around the world to Sitka to teach, inspire, and perform. The festival strives to teach music appreciation, skills, history, artistic expression, and cross-cultural understanding through jazz in a supportive environment.

Visiting artists and local educators provide clinics in jazz history, jazz theory, and jazz improvisation, as well as a variety of individual instrument and section-specific workshops. 

For more information visit www.sitkajazzfestival.com.

BMS Yearbooks

Ready to Order

Blatchley Middle School yearbooks are for sale. Go to http://bms.picaboo.com to purchase a hardcover book for $24 or softcover book at $14.

On the website, parents have the option of adding a photo of their child in the back of the book.

Volunteer Day

On SJ Campus

The Sitka Fine Arts Camp will host a volunteer day on the Sheldon Jackson Campus 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, meeting in front of Whitmore Hall.

A hot lunch will be provided at noon in Sweetland S100. Anyone is welcome to join at any time, and no experience is necessary. Call the Sitka Fine Arts Camp office at 747-3085, or write to Jacob Peterson, SFAC Volunteer Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Iotas to Meet

Kappa Gamma Iota chapter will meet 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, in Stacy Golden’s room at Blatchley Middle School.

The program will be information about the family support program with Ramone and Nichele.

Pie Sale Set

At Sea Mart

Eighth-graders will sell pies and other goodies 1-4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday at Sea Mart. Items will be available until sold out. 

Funds raised will go toward a five-day educational trip to Washington, D.C., in June. 

Fund Set Up for

Accident Victim

Cody Bergman, 15, suffered severe injuries when he was hit by a truck on the way home from his paper route recently.

He is currently receiving treatment at Harborview in Seattle. Friends said those wanting to help the family with medical expenses can visit www.youcaring.com and search for Cody Bergman.

STA Health

Panel to Meet

The Sitka Tribe of Alaska Health Committee will meet noon-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the STA Social Services building at 110 American Street.

Lunch will be provided. Community members wanting to join the committee should call 747-7293.

Pistol Leagues

Set to Begin

The Sitka Sportsman’s Association announces the start of winter pistol leagues. Shooters of all ability levels are welcome.

The rimfire league will begin 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, and the centerfire league starts 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5.

The cost is $30 plus association membership fees and a range card, which covers range time and targets for 12 weeks. Membership and range cards are also required.

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