May 8, 2015 Community Happenings

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Category: News

Created on Friday, 08 May 2015 12:13

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SEER School

Set to Register

The SEER School is accepting applications for the upcoming school year for children in kindergarten through eighth grades.

The school is a multi-age and multi-abled learning community. It is a real-life, place-based learning experience. Tuition is typically less than the cost of childcare.

Call 738-1499 or 747-63224, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the facebook page.

Bird Walks Set

For Saturdays

Those wanting to observe and learn about the migrant and resident bird species of Sitka National Historical Park, can join a ranger for free guided bird walks each Saturday morning during  May.

Spring Migration Bird Walks will be held 8 a.m.-10 a.m. May 9, 16, 23 and 30. Beginner and experienced bird watchers will learn to identify and learn about the abundant bird species that depend on the park’s coastal and rain forest ecosystems.

Participants should dress warmly and be prepared to spend two hours outside in variable weather conditions. Attendees who have binoculars should take them as a limited number are available. Field guides will be provided. 

The programs will begin and conclude at the park’s visitor center. For more information contact Ryan Carpenter at 747-0121 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

Unitarians Meet

At Sunday’s Unitarian Fellowship meeting a member will share her personal spiritual journey and how it lead her to the door of the Sitka Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Fellowship begins at 10:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:45 a.m. Soup and bread follows the program at noon. The Fellowship Hall is located at 408 Marine Street, with parking behind off Spruce Street.

Parker-Bahrt Wed

Erica Mae Parker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eric Parker of Sitka, and Erik Leif Bahrt, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bahrt, also of Sitka, were married noon Friday, April 10, at the historic St. Peter’s by-the Sea Episcopal Church with the Reverend Deacon Kathryn Snelling officiating at the ceremony.

The bride was attended by Dohnele Parker of Rogue River, Ore., as matron of honor with Megan Bahrt and Alora Zellhuber of Sitka as bridesmaids. Emma Parker was the flower girl.

The best man was Zachary Forst of Juneau. Theodore Bahrt and Ian Workman of Sitka were groomsmen. Isaac Parker of Delta Junction served as greeter. Jayden Workman was the ring bearer.

The bride was escorted by her father. She captivated all in her Jesús Peiró ivory satin dress with an embellished waist of Swarovski crystal – made individually for her in Spain. She carried a bouquet of white roses with a single red rose at its center. 

Music was performed by organist Katherine Jones of Sitka. The bridal party advanced to “All People That on Earth Do Dwell.” The bride progressed to “Pachelbel’s Canon.” During the ceremony, Katherine also read from 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13.

The bride graduated from the University of Alaska Southeast and holds a bachelor of liberal arts, interdisciplinary studies degree. She is employed by SEARHC-Mt. Edgecumbe hospital, as a security officer.

The groom holds a bachelor of arts in social science degree from the University of Alaska Southeast and is a commercial fisherman.

The couple will reside in Sitka.

Harp Sing Set

The Sitka second Sunday Sacred Harp Sing is set 3:30-5 p.m. May 10 at the Sitka Pioneers Home Chapel.

Beginners and listeners are invited. Call 738-2089 with questions.

 Presbyterians Meet

First Presbyterian Church will have a Sunday sermon at 11 a.m. Sunday, Mother’s Day. The topic will be “Every Mother a Working Mother” from  Proverbs 22:6; Eph. 6:2; I Thessalonians 5:11.

A Sitka future designing class will be at 10 a.m. Interim/Transitional Pastor Dr. George Gilchrist will lead the second in a series of classes titled ‘‘Strategies for Designing a New Future at First Presbyterian.’’

White E Shop

Meeting May 13

The White Elephant Shop monthly meeting will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at the Swan Lake Senior Center. Meetings are open to the public.

Cross Trail

Marathon Set

Registration for the 3rd annual Sitka Cross Trail Classic Marathon and Half is open. The 26.2- and 13.1-mile races will 7 a.m. on Aug 8.

Registration is available online at ultrasignup.com. For more information contact race directors Penny Brown 738-7366 or Julie White 738-3146 or email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Michael Boyle. (Photo provided)

CHearing & Speech Month

Time to Check Kids’ Tech? 

During “May Is Better Hearing & Speech Month,” speech-language pathologist Michael Boyle is encouraging Sitka parents to set meaningful limits on technology use, especially for young children.

With new evidence showing a majority of children in the United States using personal technology such as smart phones and tablets, it is important that parents ensure technology is not overtaking their children’s time, focus and interest for “person-to-person” talking, listening to and reading stories, and interactive and engaging play – which are the primary ways that children learn, Boyle said.

“While technology offers positive potential in many areas, it is important that young children are spending the majority of their time listening and conversing with others, as well as engaging in imaginative play and outdoor activities – all of which help them learn and develop,” Boyle said. “Parents can take steps to manage tech. time by setting daily time limits, establishing tech.-free settings such as the dinner table, and considering whether a young child really needs his or her own device, as many now have.” 

Boyle suggested an action the whole family could participate in.

“A great experiment during these summer vacation months is perhaps for the whole family to ‘take a vacation from technology,’ if even for a certain day during the week or while on a family vacation trip. As radical as that may sound, it will provide fruitful benefits for everyone; helping mom, dad and children to recapture the long lost joy of relationships with face-to-face talking, play and family cohesiveness over extended periods of time,’’ he said. ‘‘One other benefit from a ‘technology vacation’ for the whole family is to help us disengage ourselves from the overwhelming negative force, magnetism and allurement of ‘technology friendships’ and point us into the old-time relationship mechanism called talking to each other.’’  

Regardless of a child’s level of technology use, parents should familiarize themselves with the early signs of speech and language disorders, which are growing causes of disability among U.S. children, according to a 2014 study in the journal Pediatrics. Parents can review these signs at http://IdentifytheSigns.org, he said.

With early treatment, many of these disorders can be reversed or even prevented, so parents should not delay seeking an assessment.

To schedule an assessment with  Boyle, M.S., CCC/SP, speech and language pathologist for Sitka Community Hospital’s Oceanside Therapy Center,  call 747-1771.

Aerial artist Cheetah Platt. (Photo provided)

Aerial artist and former Cirque de Soleil performer Cheetah Platt will perform at the Hames Center 7 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are on sale at the Hames Center and Old Harbor Books and cost $5 for youths and seniors, and $10 adults. Tickets at the door will be $8 for youths and seniors, and $15 for adults.

Platt will perform aerial silks, gymnastics and acro balance. He will be joined by Sitka’s gymnasts, aerial silks artists and dancers.

Platt was featured last week on ABC’s ‘‘Good Morning America.’’

He has performed across the United States and worldwide with companies such as Cirque Du Soleil, Disney, and television programs like America’s Got Talent. Platt seeks to entertain, create and share his love of the arts with others. 

His professional demeanor, reliability and exceptional talent have made him a sought-after performer in a wide variety of fields, the Hames Center said.

Individuals also may sign up for a workshop and private lessons for the  opportunity to try out aerial silks with the professional aerial artist and instructor.

A few spots remain in the following classes with Platt: Silks Conditioning, open to all who have had silks experience, 5:30-6:30 p.m. today, cost is $20; Adult Advanced Acro, no experience necessary, but advanced skills and strength required, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, cost is $40; Kids Advanced Acro, ages 12 and older, 3-4 p.m. Saturday, $20; Community Silks, beginners, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday, $30; Kids Advanced Silks, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Monday, $20; and Kids Advanced Doubles, 5-6 p.m. Monday, $20.

Local instructors at the newly opened Hames ‘‘Cirque’’ Training Facility are Trisha Bessert and Franni Donohoe.

For more information, or to sign up, stop by the Hames Center or call 747-5080.

Monsanto March

Planning Scheduled

A March Against Monsanto planning, poster-making and movie night is set 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at  UAS-Sitka Campus in room 106.

All are invited to take poster-making supplies (no paint) and talk about the upcoming March Against Monsanto.

For more information call Brett Wilcox at 747-7437.

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