May 1, 2015 Community Happenings

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Category: News

Created on Friday, 01 May 2015 11:03

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Story Time Set

‘‘An Ocean of Fun’’ will be the theme of the next preschool story time at Kettleson Memorial Library 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 7.

It will be the last story time until June so library staff can prepare for the Summer Reading Program.

Story times include readings, rhymes, songs and a craft project. The public is invited to attend. For more information call the library at 747-8708.

Babies & Books Sets

Party, Reading Event

Sitka Babies and Books will celebrate the beginning of the Early Literacy Summer Reading Program with a kickoff party 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16, for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

‘‘Heroes Around Me’’ is the theme for a program that includes readings, songs, station activities in which children are invited to explore different heroes in the community like firefighters, doctors and nurses, teachers and a surprise station where children get to be their own heroes.

During the event families also can register their children for the early literacy Summer Reading Program.

The event is free and registration is not required. For more information, call the library at 747-8708.

Alaska Day Panel

Forms Schedule

Coordinators for Sitka’s 2015 mid-October community Alaska Day Festival have announced  the following events:

– Concert by 9th Army Band on Friday evening, Oct. 16, at the Performing Arts Center;

– Ball on Saturday evening, Oct. 17, at Odess Theater in Allen Hall;

– Parade on Lake and Lincoln streets on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18 followed by Transfer Re-enactment Ceremony on Castle Hill.

Other events are being planned by the Alaska Day Committee, which next meets at 6:30 p.m. on May 19 and each following third Tuesday of the month at Centennial Hall.

Persons having comments about Festival activities or new volunteers are invited to attend the meetings or contact Chairman Ted Allio at 747-5124 or Schedule Coordinator Elaine Strelow at 747-3469. 

Woman’s Club

To Meet May 9

Sitka Woman’s Club has postponed the May meeting until Saturday, May 9. At 11:30 a.m. the group will meet at the site of the W.P. Mills family graves in the city cemetery, then go to the home of Ann-Marie Parker on Smith Street for a potluck lunch and a meeting.

4-H Babysitters

Now Available

A group of Sitka 4-H youths recently completed a training to learn about child development, nutrition, first aid, and appropriate entertaining.

Those in need of a responsible, trained babysitter may contact the Cooperative Extension Service at 747-9440.

Climate Change

Webinar May 5

The public is invited to a free webinar “Climate-Driven Changes in Interactions Among Hunters, Wildlife, and Habitat” from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, in Room 202 of the UAS-Sitka Campus. For more information contact the Cooperative Extension Service at 747-9440.

Free Beginners

Yoga Class Set

Andrea Thomas will teach a free beginners yoga class 4-5:30 p.m. May 9 at Yoga Union in the Kellogg building on the Sitka Fine Arts Campus.

Thomas also will teach an eight-week signup beginner class in the summer. Call 738-2443 with questions.

Potato-Planting

Classes on Tap

The Sitka Local Foods Network reminds gardeners that it’s time to plant  potatoes.

Potatoes are some of the most productive and easy-to-grow vegetables in Sitka, SLFN said in a press release.

Michelle Putz will present two free, hands-on potato-planting workshops at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at 131 Shelikof Way. Parking space is limited, so attendees may want to consider walking, riding a bike or carpooling. More information is available by calling Michelle at 747-2708.

The SLFN education committee welcomes local gardeners who want to teach classes. Come up with a topic, best time and date, and SLFN will help find a venue. 

For more information about education classes, contact Jennifer Carter at 747-0520 or 1-850-491-2666 (cell), or Michelle Putz at 747-2708. This is one of the many free classes being offered this year by the Sitka Local Foods Network education committee. For more details, go to http://www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org/.

Sermon Series at

First Presbyterian

A Sunday sermon series is being held at First Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. On May 3 the topic will be “Look in the Mirror and Dare to Make Changes” – a spring series from the book of James; and May 10, “Every Mother a Working Mother” from   Proverbs 22:6; Eph. 6:2; I Thessalonians 5:11.

Also planned are classes at 10 a.m. titled ‘‘Strategies for Designing a New Future at First Presbyterian.’’ The May 3 and 10 programs are led by interim/transitional Pastor Dr. George Gilchrist,

Natural History

Classes on Tap

Dr. Julia Parrish will discuss “The Natural History of Dead Birds” and the Coastal Observation and Seabird Team project 7:30 p.m. May 7 at Sitka National Historical Park auditorium.

The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team is a 16-year-old citizen science project currently involving 800 participants from northern California north to Kotzebue and west to the Commander Islands, Russia.

COASST data go directly into science, as part of studies as diverse as fishery entanglement, historic native uses of seabirds as food sources, and the impacts of sudden shifts in upwelling; as well as into resource management, as part of decisions on fishing regulations, waterfowl hunting limits, and endangered species management.  

Parrish is the associate dean for Academic Affairs and Diversity in the College of the Environment at the University of Washington and the executive director of the COASST program.  She is a marine biologist, a conservation biologist, and a specialist in seabird ecology.  

Funding for the seminar series is provided by a grant to the Sitka Sound Science Center by the Sitka Alaska Permanent Charitable Trust and by support from the University of Alaska.

Call Kitty LaBounty at 747-9432 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions.

Fish and Game

Sets Sportfish Regs

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has announced sport fishing regulations for king salmon in Southeast Alaska and Yakutat, effective through   May 1, 2016.

The Alaska resident bag and possession limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. The nonresident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, except during May and June, during which the bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length; the nonresident annual limit is six king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.

From Oct. 1, 2015, through March 31, 2016, sport anglers may use two rods when fishing for king salmon.

The Southeast Alaska king salmon sport fishery is managed under provisions of the Southeast Alaska King Salmon Management Plan, which prescribes management measures based upon the preseason abundance index determined by the Chinook Technical Committee of the Pacific Salmon Commission. The plan further stipulates that if the preseason abundance estimate for the current year is not available by May 1, the king salmon bag and possession limits and other management measures will be based on the previous year’s preseason abundance index.

For further information regarding sport fisheries in Southeast Alaska, contact the nearest ADF&G office or visit: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.eonr

Slayer Fans Called

For Celebration

Sitka Sound Slayers are headed to state tournament in Palmer and will hold a night of derby, bites and brews 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at Baranof Island Brewing Company.

Fans are invited to help the team celebrate. BIBCO is donating a portion of all beer purchases to the Slayers.

Benefit Dinner Set

For SS Slayers

A fundraiser dinner for the Sitka Sound Slayers will be held Saturday, May 9. Dove Island lodge is hosting the event, providing transportation and donating all proceeds to the Slayers.

Boat transportation will begin at 5:30 p.m. from Crescent Harbor. Dinner with a view will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the lodge. The main course is braised short ribs and a gluten-free option will be available, as well as a no-host bar.

Tickets cost $100 and are available by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling or texting 907-738-9021. Tickets will also be available from Angel’a Death at the state tournament fundraiser 4-8 p.m. May 6 at the Baranof Island Brewing Company.

Pops Night at

BMS May 14

The community is invited to the Pops Night celebration Thursday, May 14, at Blatchley Middle School.

The commons opens at 5:30 p.m. with a silent dessert auction and a display of student art and work. The pops concert begins at 6:30 p.m. and is followed by an ice cream social and the conclusion of the auction.

The concert supports Discovery Week at BMS. Tickets are $6.

Inglesia Ni Cristo

Slated May 10

The public is invited to the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) vigorous evangelical mission 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at Sweetland Hall on the SJ Campus. A free dinner with Filipino food will be served and door prizes are being offered.

Special performances will be by Jomarc Dasalla and Mayjoy Castro. Free transportation may be arranged by calling 738-0726.

Discovery Days

Event at SSSC

Participants in the Saturday, May 2, Discovery Days at the Sitka Sound Science Center will explore the swift underwater world of local streams and rivers. 

Students will meet 10 a.m.-noon to  discover how scientists study the health of streams, and look at stream critters, and how healthy salmon depend on them. This will be the last Discovery Days event of the school year. Discovery Days are SSSC member-only events; however, membership can be purchased at the door.

Visiting Scientist

Slated to Speak

Visiting scientist Bree Witteveen will be in Sitka next week as a part of the Scientists in the Schools Program. She will give a brown bag lunch talk  for the public about her whale work out of Kodiak noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, May 5 at the Sitka Sound Science Center.

The talk, “Kodiak Whales:  A review of nearly 15 years of GAP research,” details her part in the Gulf Apex Predator Prey project, through which she has been studying the ecological importance of fin, humpback and grey whales.

Brown bag lunches are welcome.

Benefit Set May 9

For Ailing Sitkan

A benefit barbecue and raffle is being held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, in the parking lot of Sitka True Value, for Rhonda Kingwell, who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Sitka True Value is reaching out to the community to help raise funds for her fight against this disease.

Chili dogs and refreshments will be served at a suggested donation of $5. All of the proceeds will be donated.

With each store purchase patrons will receive one free raffle ticket.  The drawing will be 5 p.m. May 9. Prizes will include a three-burner Grill Zone gas grill, donated by Sitka True Value, and other prizes.

Bake sale items will be sold. Volunteers of time and treats are being sought.

Donation bins are currently set up at each register and additional ones will be available during the benefit event weekend.

To help reach the goal of $5,000, Sitka True Value will match all donations collected Mother’s Day weekend and donate a portion of the sales made on both May 9 and 10.

Interested in volunteering or donating for this event? Call 747-8210 or 907-623-7595

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