Daily Sitka Sentinel

October 9, 2013 Community Happenings

‘Together We Can’
    Event Set Oct. 24
    Sitkans Against Family Violence will host a family friendly evening of discussion and engagement at ‘‘Together We Can’’ 7-8 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Centennial Hall Maksoutoff Room.
    ‘‘We’ll spend some time thinking about the ‘I can’ts’ that keep us from speaking up against violence, find ways to move past those ‘I can’ts’ to ‘I cans,’ and create art as a commitment to ourselves of what we can do to end violence in our community,’’ SAFV said. ‘‘Together, we can create a healthier, more respectful future for Sitka.’’
    For more information call 747-3370.

    Seniors Offered
    Ceramics Course
    Southeast Alaska Independent Living, working with Sitka Fine Arts Camp, will offer a beginning-level ceramics course for seniors at the Ceramics Studio on the SJ Campus.
    “Handbuilding with Clay” will run 4:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8, and 3:30-5:30 on Nov. 15 and 22.
    Wes Holloway, a local ceramics artist, will instruct the course. He earned his bachelor’s degree in ceramics at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and was a ceramics resident at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Mont. He is currently teaching the after-school pottery class for middle school kids at Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
    The first course was offered last spring, coinciding with some major updates to the studio. The Sitka Permanent Charitable and Sitka Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant, & Retailers Association provided funding for the ramp into the building. Several kilns and a wide array of ceramics supplies were donated by artist Patti Baumgartner and her husband James Baumgartner of Sandpiper Studios in Juneau.
    SAIL is a resource center that provides information, equipment, and recreational activities for seniors and people with disabilities. As an aging and disability resource center, SAIL strives to promote inclusive recreation programs for folks in Sitka and around Southeast Alaska.
    Space is open for the class. A $100 fee covers five sessions, instruction, all supplies, transportation if necessary, and personal artwork to keep. Contact Alli at SAIL at 747-6859 for more information or to sign up.

    Raffle to Raise
    Money for Center
    Betty Eliason Child Care Center is holding a Veterans Day raffle sponsored by the Sitka Emblem Club 142, Permit 524, to raise funds for playground projects.
    Tickets cost $10 and prizes include two flags that have flown over the Capitol in Washington, D.C., cash, gift certificates and items.
    Tickets are available at BECCC, the Elks Lodge, and on weekends at AC Lakeside.
    Prize sponsors are AC Lakeside, Stereo North, Sitka by-the-Sea Professional Services, Kruz-In Lube and Oil LLC and Mama Bear’s Circus.

    BIHA Board Meets
    Baranof Island Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will meet 5 p.m. Oct. 15 at 245 Katlian Street. The public is welcome to attend.

    Alaska Day Ball
    Set for Oct. 17
    The annual Alaska Day Festival Ball is planned for Harrigan Centennial Hall on Oct. 17, continuing a long tradition for that gala event in semi-formal attire for men and women, Native regalia, or period costume reminiscent of the 1867 Alaska Transfer era.
    Advance purchase of tickets at $25 is urged because room capacity is limited. Ticket information is offered at 747-5466.
    Restricted to adults age 21 and over, admission includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres served by Sitka Emblem Club. Channel Club cash bar service will be available. Photography is offered.
    Doors open at 7 p.m. for seating. This year, local band “Slack Tide” will provide varied dance music until midnight.
    Judging of period costumes will be done prior to 9 p.m., and the promenade at 9:30 p.m. will spotlight all who wish to display their finery. Awards will be announced in several categories, including costumes for American or Russian military and civilian attire for daytime or evening wear. The Frankie Haag Memorial Award will again be given to a woman who has made the ballgown she is wearing.
    Ticket holders must be present to qualify for door prizes.
    For more information, contact Ball coordinators Betty Conklin at 966-2281, or Helen Cunningham at 738-6738.


    YAS Board Meets
    Youth Advocates of Sitka’s board of directors will meet 5-7 p.m. Oct. 14 at 805 Lincoln Street. It is open to the public.
    The group is accepting applications for board members. Those who are interested in becoming a YAS board member may contact Annette at 747-3687 for more information.


    Sitka Sidewalk
    Celebration Set
    For Alaska Day
    A walking tour of the Sitka Seawalk, followed by a dedication, ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception to celebrate the Sitka Seawalk’s completion, will be held on Alaska Day.
    The walking tour will begin at the Crescent Harbor net shed at 9:15 a.m. on Oct. 18. Dan Tadic, the CBS project manager and Monique Anderson, Anderson Land Planning, will lead the tour and discuss the seawalk’s design, planning and construction process. Participants should come prepared to walk the full length of the seawalk from Crescent Harbor to the Sitka National Historical Park and back to the breakwater spur for the dedication ceremony.
    At 10 a.m., walking tour participants and others will gather for the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony which will be held at the beginning of the seawalk’s breakwater spur next to the Crescent Harbor Park playground. Sen. Bert Stedman and Mayor Mim McConnell will be in attendance and cut the ribbon together.
    A reception with refreshments will be held at the Sitka Sound Science Center following the ribbon cutting,  10:15-11 a.m.
    The public is invited to attend all or any of the individual celebration activities. For more information, call Lynne Brandon at 747-1852.

    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 the Salvation Army at 747-3358.

    Bake Sale for
    Kaagwaantaan
    A bake sale to benefit the Kaagwaantaan Clan will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m., or until sold out, on Oct. 18 at the Wells Fargo Bank lobby.
    The sale will include a variety of homemade snacks and breads.

    Blatchley Seeks
    Parent Volunteers
    Blatchley Middle School is seeking parent volunteers for its annual Blatchley Kids Carnival Oct. 26.
    Shifts are 9 a.m.-noon and noon-2:30 p.m.
    Call Kari Sagel at 752-7323 to sign up. Parents are also needed to donate baked goods for the carnival.

    Book Fair Set
    At Blatchley
    Blatchley Middle School will hold its annual Scholastic Book Fair in the library during school Oct. 14-18.
    Students will visit the book fair during language arts classes. The fair also will be open during parent-teacher conferences on Oct. 15-16.
    The Blatchley Kids Carnival on Oct. 26 will be the last chance to visit the book fair.

    School Board Meets
    Sitka School Board will hold a work session 6 p.m. Oct. 15 in the Sitka School District board room. the board will discuss math instruction. The public is invited to attend.

    Tribal Council
    Filing Saturday
    The deadline for tribal citizens to apply to serve as Sitka Tribe of Alaska council members is Oct. 12.
    Applications may be obtained at the election office at the Sheet’ka Kwáan Naa Kahídi 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. through Oct. 12 or by contacting Election Supervisor Kerry MacLane at 752-0654 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

    Stardust Ball
    Tickets on Sale
    Annual Stardust Ball tickets go on sale Oct. 10 to Raven Radio members at the $85 level or above. Attendees must be 21 or older and identification will be required at the door.
    Tickets are $35 and will be available at the station between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The remaining tickets will go on sale at Old Harbor books on Friday, Oct. 11.
  This year’s Stardust Ball is Oct. 26 and will feature Smoking Bill from Seattle. 

    Historical Society
    Annual Meet Set
    The Sitka Historical Society will host its annual membership meeting 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 13 in the Maksoutoff Room at Centennial Hall.
    The program celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Marine Highway and will feature a documentary.
    Photographs and artifacts from the museum’s collection also will be on display. Board elections, refreshments and an introduction will round out the evening. Direct questions to curator Hayley Chambers at 747-6455.

    Museum Lists
    Winter Hours
    Winter hours at the Sitka Historical Museum will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. starting Oct. 15.
    The museum will be closed Sundays, Mondays and major winter holidays. Admission is $2 per person. Every form of support, whether it is a membership or a donation, is deeply appreciated and allows the Historical Society to continue to fulfill its mission to educate and engage the community, a spokesperson said.
    Direct questions to curator Hayley Chambers at 747-6455.

    Fill-the-Bus
    Food Drive Set
    Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Center For Community’s The RIDE (Sitka’s fixed-route public transit system) and Sitkans Against Family Violence are co-sponsoring the annual Fill-the-Bus food drive 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 12 at both AC Lakeside and Sea Mart.
    Donations will be given to the food banks and commodity programs for STA’s Social Services and SAFV.
    For more information call The RIDE at 747-7103.

    Pool Closure
    Blatchley pool will be closed at 4 p.m. on Oct. 11 through Sunday for the annual October Splash sponsored by the Baranof Barracuda Swim Club.
    The pool will reopen Monday for regular hours. Call 747-5677 with questions.