Daily Sitka Sentinel

October 2, 2013, Community Happenings

Homeless Summit

Scheduled Oct. 7

The Easter Group will hold a Homeless Summit 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Maksoutoff Room at Centennial Hall. “Advance Planning for the Care of Homeless in Sitka” will be a series of panels composed of local service providers.

The panel schedule is 9:15 a.m. ‘‘Immediate Crisis and Shelter/Care Needs’’; 10:15 a.m. ‘‘Immediate and Longer Term Solutions’’; 11:15 a.m. ‘‘Healthcare, Counseling, and Nutritional Needs’’; and 12:15 p.m. ‘‘Discussion about Future Direction.’’

The public is being encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Dorrie Farrell at 747-4109, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Homeless Summit supports planning for the care of individuals who are homeless in Sitka. Direct services are scheduled at the Project Homeless Connect event Jan. 21.

 

 Easter Group Meets

The Easter Group will meet noon-1:15 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Sitka School District Board Room.

The agenda relates to the work of the Easter Group, which revolves around working to end extreme poverty and empower people. The public is being  encouraged to attend. For more information contact Dorrie Farrell at 747-4109 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

Halloween Costumes

At White E Shop

The White Elephant Shop will have Halloween costumes available starting with the noon-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, opening in the main store and children’s store.

Halloween decorations and other items are still available.

 

SSF to Hold

Meet and Greet

The Sitka Seafood Festival will hold a “meet and greet” for new SSF Director Carolyn Kinneen 6 p.m. Oct. 4 at Baranof Island Brewing Company.

All are invited to drop by and ask questions, offer suggestions, or just hang out. More information is available by calling Alicia at 928-607-4845.

 

Art Auction For

Seafood Festival

All are invited to a live art auction to support the Sitka Seafood Festival 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Westmark Sitka banquet room.

The event will include a no-host bar, light hors d’oeuvres, door prizes and art work. John Stein is auctioneer.

Fisherman’s Eye Gallery and SSF are presenting the auction. More information is at www.sitkaseafoodfestival.org or call Linda at 206-229-1061.

 

T’ai Chi Chih Set

T’ai Chi Chih Practice by the Sea will meet 10 a.m. Oct. 5 behind Kettleson Memorial Library on the water side. All are invited to participate. This is not a class.

 

Whalefest Planning

Meeting Set Oct. 8

The Sitka Whalefest planning meeting is slated 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Sitka Sound Science Center for those interested in volunteering.

Opportunities for promotion, setup, retail, Scientists in Schools and other areas are available. For more information, contact Madi at 747-8878 ext.15 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

Raven Board Meets

Raven Radio’s board of directors will meet 6 p.m. tonight at the station, 2B Lincoln Street. The meeting is open to the public.

 

Spanish, French,

German Taught

French, Spanish and German language groups meet weekly in Sitka.

The French group meets 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at UAS-Sitka Campus. The Spanish group meets 4:30-6 p.m. Wednesdays at UAS-Sitka. The German language group meets 5 p.m. Wednesdays at Westmark Sitka.

For more information call Paul at 738-9456.

 

 

Trick-or-Read

At Babies, Books

Babies and Books will host a Halloween Trick-or-Read program 10:30 a.m. Oct. 26 at Kettleson Memorial Library.

Children are invited to wear their Halloween costumes for a program of readings, games and a craft project. The program is for toddlers and preschoolers. Registration is required and space is limited. For more information, call the library at 747-8708.

 

 

Booths Offered

For Alaska Day

Crescent Harbor Shelter will allow space from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, through Saturday, Oct. 19, for Alaska Day food and other sales by service clubs and non-profit organizations.

Alaska Day Festival planners obtained the special authorization from the City and Borough of Sitka to provide fund-raising opportunities for local service groups while giving visitors as well as residents a popular quick snack.

Each group planning to offer food should immediately contact health officer Greg Johnstone at Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, 747-8614, to secure a valid temporary food service permit. The ADEC permit fee is $35 minimum unless the organization has IRS exempt ruling. For operation on two or three days, the fee becomes $65. Fees double if the permit is requested less than seven days in advance of use.

During Oct. 17-19, groups may operate on any days of their choice on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are made for space. The organization name must be displayed. Groups must provide their own tables, advertising, clean-up, etc. 

Only limited electrical service is available. By city fire code, open-flame cooking devices (charcoal grills and propane burners) are now restricted to paved concrete or asphalt surfaces located a minimum of ten feet from the shelter’s wooden deck.

Further information is available from Elaine Strelow at 747-3469.

 

Holiday Dinners

Planning Listed

Holiday dinners are being planned at the ANB Founders Hall again this year. Those interested in volunteering to help are being encouraged to call Margaret Gross-Hope at 747-8851.

 

Costuming 

Encouraged

The onset of fall weather reminds Sitkans that Alaska Day is fast approaching and it’s time to get out their costumes reminiscent of the 1860s.

Those preparing for the week leading up to Oct. 18 can find period costuming design help at Kettleson Library for both American and Russian civilian and military styles. Fabric shops offer sketches, patterns, trims, and names of possible seamstresses, as well as materials for constructing day or evening attire for women, men and children. Basic garments for alteration may be found at thrift shops and yard sales.

If local sources are not sufficient, an Internet search for Civil War era uniforms or clothing can be rewarding.

 

Parade Organizes

For Alaska Day

“Alaska Marine Highway System and Its 50 Years” is the theme for this year’s Alaska Day parade Friday afternoon, Oct. 18.

The parade is part of the annual commemoration of the historical Oct. 18, 1867, transfer of Alaska from Russian claim to the United States at Sitka.

Parade Coordinator Duane Vilandre asks organization marching units and other parade participants to notify his crew at 747-8086 or 738-1551 so proper spacing can be laid out.

Cash prizes of $150 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third will be awarded by the Alaska Day Committee for parade entries as named by the anonymous judges in categories for civilian marching units, symbolic of 1867, organizations, businesses, and the theme Alaska Marine Highway System and its 50 years. 

Cash awards will also be made by the Alaska Day Committee to the welfare/morale funds of the military units judged first place, second, and third.

It is important that entries in the parade line be well identified with signs or banners both for award judges and spectators, organizers said.

Line up on Oct. 18 will begin at 12:30 p.m. along Lake Street from Sitka High School to the intersection with Sawmill Creek Road. Decorated floats, classic cars and other parade vehicles should plan to approach from the north on Peterson Avenue or Verstovia Street to avoid congestion.

The parade will start at 1:30 p.m. from the Swan Lake intersection, proceed along Lake Street to Lincoln Street, make a right turn, continue on Lincoln past the cathedral on the bank side, and terminate at Totem Square.

 

Road Race to

Run on Oct. 12

The 33rd annual running of the Alaska Day road race is set for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12. Attention is called to the early start on a day filled with activity.

Runners will take off from the end of Airport Road at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station after registration 7:15 to 7:45 a.m. at the gazebo. Waiver signature by a parent or guardian will be required for runners under age 18. 

Course descriptions for the 10K route for runners or 2.5 mile fun run will be provided.

Although anyone is welcome to run without charge, the $15 entry fee includes refreshments and an Alaska Day commemorative item.

Personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station coordinate the race for Alaska Day Festival. For further information, call LT Chris Stoeckler, 966-5613, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .