February 11, 2016 Community Happenings

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Category: News

Created on Thursday, 11 February 2016 12:47

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Sitka Cyclists to Join In

International Winter Ride

Sitka cyclists can ride and win prizes by participating in International Winter Bike to Work Day on Friday, Feb. 12. It’s also the inaugural International Winter Bike to School Day.

The international event started in 2013 when several communities in Canada challenged each other to see which one could have the highest number of bike commuters. 

In 2014, it expanded outside Canada, and Sitka and Anchorage hosted events. Sitka ended up having the second-highest number of participants per capita, trailing only Oulu, Finland. It also was the smallest community to have at least 20 participants. In 2015, even more winter cyclists participated around the world, and Zagreb, Croatia, became the first community to have more than 1,000 cyclists participate.

Sitka’s celebration of winter cycling will be simple, organizers said.

First, go to the website, http://winterbiketoworkday.org/, and commit to riding to work on Friday, Feb. 12. Those who work at home can use a bike ride for errands or sport as their bike commute for the day. Then, on Friday,  during their bike commute, stop by the Yellow Jersey Cycle Shop, 329 Harbor Dr., between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to enter name and phone number in a contest to win prizes.

For students, go to the website, https://bikewalkroll.org/Campaigns/view/winter-bike-to-school-day, and commit to riding to school on Friday. All of Sitka’s public schools should be listed on the site, including UAS-Sitka Campus.

Teachers can do a quick, 30-second survey about how students got to school between Jan. 26 and Feb. 12 to help their school’s Bike-Walk-Roll score.

‘‘We encourage all cyclists to be safe in their rides,’’ organizers said. ‘‘They should wear helmets, wear bright reflective clothes, and have working solid white headlights in front and blinking red taillights in back. They also should follow all rules of the road, such as riding on the right side of the road (not on the sidewalk) and stopping at all stop lights/stop signs.’’

Door prizes are being gathered. Businesses or individuals wanting to donate door prizes to the event can contact Charles Bingham at 623-7660 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. Needed are gloves, reflective safety vests, water bottles, helmets and other items. Some businesses donated gift cards, bike books, or non-biking and non-winter items last year, Bingham said.

Jeff Davis Street

Meeting Tonight

A public meeting will be held 6 p.m. today in Allen Hall on the SJ Campus, upstairs in the Del Shirley Room to present and discuss proposed improvements to Jeff Davis Street between Sawmill Creek Road and Lincoln Street.

Construction is tentatively planned for summer 2016. The project will impact all existing, water, roadway, sidewalk, driveways, walkways, curb and gutter within the project limits, as well as limited sewer service improvements. All residents and business owners in the project area are being encouraged to attend.

Bake Sale Benefit

Set for Saturday

A Valentine’s bake sale fundraiser for 3 to 5 Preschool is planned 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Sea Mart.

Valentine’s Day gifts and goodies will be for sale. The group also will be making laminated bag tags for backpacks and luggage.

‘Adak’ Presentation

Rescheduled at Park

The presentation ‘‘Exploring Alaska: Adak’’ has been rescheduled to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Sitka National Historical Park visitor center theater. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Victoria Vosburg will recount her recent journey to Adak, an island located towards the western end of the Aleutian Islands. 

During her presentation, Vosburg will discuss the trip’s focus of observing the diverse and unique bird species found on Adak as well as the island’s geography, wildlife, history and what it takes to visit this far off destination. 

Family Program

Set at Museum

The Sheldon Jackson Museum invites the public to attend a free family-friendly public program At Saxan at the museum 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20.

Join staff for ‘‘Cells, ‘Cell-fies’ and Aggravated Organizms.’’ The program will focus on the new temporary exhibition Aggravated Organizms and the masks in it by Drew Michael, Inupiaq/ Yupik. Students will look at the exhibition and take a “Cell-fie” – which the museum can email to the student.

Participants will look at the structure of cells, images of cells affected by certain diseases, and create their own cell using playdough. This program is  best for children ages 6-10. 

Space is limited. To register or more information, call 747-8904 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Office Move

UAF Cooperative Extension Service has moved to Room 107 on the UAS-Sitka Campus, 1332 Seward Ave. 

Unit 4 Fur

Season to End

Trappers are reminded the season for marten, mink, weasel, and river otter in Game Management Unit 4 ends Monday, Feb. 15.

Beaver season remains open in the unit through April 30, 2016. Pelts of marten, river otter, and beaver must be sealed by a department representative within 30 days after the close of the season.

Project Homeless

Connect Feb. 17

Sitka Project Homeless Connect’s second event of four will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Salvation Army.

The free event is for those who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of being homeless.  

Those attending will receive goods and services free of charge and on the spot which include lunch, health care, vouchers for hair cuts, clothing and other personal items.  Sitka Homeless Connect is sponsored by Easter Group, Salvation Army, and Alaska Housing and Finance Corp.  Contact information This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Julia Smith at 747-6333.

   Peratrovich Day

Events on Feb. 16

Alaska will honor Elizabeth Peratrovich, Alaska Native civil rights leader, on Feb. 16 with a parade and celebration program.

Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4 and Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1 invites all groups, individuals and students to join the celebration and tribute to Peratrovich. 

At 1:15 p.m., the parade will line up at Crescent Harbor shelter, and march at 1:30 p.m. Participants will walk down Lincoln Street to Katlian Street, ending at the ANB Founders Hall. A special celebration program will follow, 2-5 p.m..

The celebration continues with a 6 p.m. movie, “For the Rights of All” hosted by Sitka Public Library.

The celebration program will be in  honor of Peratrovich and other early ANS and ANB members who fought for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, and a celebration of over 100 years of the Alaska Native Sisterhood and Alaska Native Brotherhood.

Dedicated to Isabella G. Brady, the program will include Sitka dance groups, student performances, and a keynote speaker. 

Phones Installed

SAFV will have a new phone system installed Feb. 19-22. Those having an emergency, and unable to reach SAFV by phone, can contact them at their webpage, www.safv.org, or call 911 for immediate safety issues. 

‘‘We’re sorry for this inconvenience but will be better able to serve you upon completion of this project,’’ SAFV personnel said. 

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