Daily Sitka Sentinel

December 10, 2013 Community Happenings

BMS, SHS Winter
    Program Weds.
    Blatchley Middle School and Sitka High School music departments will hold the first of two Winter Programs 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Performing Arts Center.
    Performing will be 4B concert band, jazz II, SHS jazz band, BMS choir and ACE, SHS treble choir and concert choir.
     
    SJ Campus Tree
    Lighting Dec. 14
    To celebrate the holidays and offer appreciation to the community for its support over the past year, Sitka Fine Arts Camp and Sheldon Jackson Campus partners Sitka Summer Music Festival, Sitka Sound Science Center, Youth Advocates, Sheldon Jackson Museum and Hames Wellness Center will follow the tradition of lighting the giant tree on the campus quad 4:30 p.m. Dec. 14 to give light to the winter nights.
    Cider and cookies will be served from the porch of Stevenson Hall, and the SFAC After-school Carol Choir will perform.
    ‘‘From all the Sheldon Jackson Campus partners, may you have a bright holiday season and a shining new year,’’ organizers said.

    BMS Math
    Panel to Meet
    The Blatchley Middle School math committee will meet 5-7 p.m. Dec. 17 at the school library to discuss and review math materials and alignment to the common core.
    Members of the public are invited to attend.

    Affordable Care
    Act Chamber Topic
    Enroll Alaska will present at the Chamber luncheon noon Wednesday at the Westmark Sitka.
    Enroll Alaska is a division of Northrim Benefits Group and was established to focus on the education and enrollment of Alaskans into the Affordable Care Act.
    The federal law mandating that all Americans have health insurance begins in 2014. Because Alaska defaulted to the Federal Facilitated Marketplace, the funding that many states are receiving for outreach and enrollment will not be coming to Alaska. Because of this, Enroll Alaska was established and has taken on the responsibility to educate and inform all Alaskans on the law and the benefits that many people will receive via the tax subsidy.
    Enroll Alaska is working with health care facilities across the state as well as non-profit organizations and Alaska Native organizations to educate individuals get them enrolled in a health insurance plan.
    The luncheon is open to the public. Call the Sitka Chamber office for more information  at 747-8604.

    Holiday Lights
    Choices Sought
    The Chamber is seeking nominations for the Holiday Lights contest. Both residences and businesses are eligible.
    Contest judging will be Dec. 16. Nomination forms are available, and are being accepted, at the Chamber office, 329 Harbor Drive Suite 212. Email Director Jennifer Robinson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 747-8604. Winners will be announced Dec. 19.

    Hames Center
    Open Holidays
    The Hames Center will be open throughout the holidays. Regular hours are in effect. On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day it will be open 1-5 p.m. The website is www.hamescenter.com. Call 747-5080 for information.

    Women of Moose
    To Meet Dec. 18
    Women of the Moose will hold its annual co-workers Christmas party 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the lodge. All are asked to take a potluck appetizer and a plate of holiday cookies for a cookie exchange.
    Donations of unfrosted sugar cookies and a holiday dessert to share are needed for the children’s party set for 11 a.m. Dec. 21 at the lodge.
    For more information contact Laurie, Faith or Lynn.

    Fish Lunch
    Set at Schools
    The next local fish lunch is slated Dec. 18 at Keet Gooshi Heen, Blatchley, Sitka High and Pacific High schools. The lunch is offered by the Sitka Conservation Society, local fishermen and community members.