FIFTH OPENING – The Sitka seine boats Hukilau and Rose Lee pump herring aboard this afternoon at the end of Deep Inlet during the fifth opening in the Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery. The opening was being held in two locations beginning at 11 a.m. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson) 

New RFP Sought For Managing PAC
27 Mar 2024 14:48

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By Sentinel Staff
    The Sitka Sound commercial herring sac roe fishery continued today with open [ ... ]

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By GARLAND KENNEDY
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    After storming into the state 3A boys basketball brac [ ... ]

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By Sentinel Staff
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By NATHANIEL HERZ
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March 27, 2024, Police Blotter
27 Mar 2024 12:26

Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
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At 2:10 p.m. a man e [ ... ]

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Two Areas Opened in Herring Fishery Today
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March 26, 2024, Police Blotter
26 Mar 2024 13:49

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Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
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March 26, 2024, Community Happenings
26 Mar 2024 13:48

Vietnam-Era Vets
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Daily Sitka Sentinel

June 20, 2014 Community Happenings

Programs Slated
    At National Park
    Sitka National Historical Park offers daily guided programs teaching visitors about the park’s natural and cultural resources. The park has listed programs for June 22-28.
    –Sunday, June 22: 9 a.m. Battle Walk; 10 a.m. Discovery Talk ‘‘Fungus Among Us’’; noon Totem Walk.
    –Monday, June 23: 9 a.m. Battle Walk; noon Totem Walk; 1 p.m. Discovery Talk ‘‘History of Lover’s Lane’’; 2 p.m. Totem Walk.
    –Tuesday, June 24: 10 a.m.  Battle Walk; noon Discovery Talk ‘‘Banana Slugs’’; 11 a.m. Discovery Talk ‘‘Fungus Among Us’’; and 1 p.m. Totem Walk.
    –Wednesday, June 25: 9 a.m. Battle Walk; 10 a.m. Totem Walk; noon Totem Walk; 1 p.m. Discovery Talk ‘‘Sea Otters’’; 7 p.m. Evening Program: ‘‘Traditional Artwork and T-shirt Signing’’ with Teri Rofkar.
    –Thursday, June 26: 9 a.m. Battle Walk; 10 a.m. Totem Walk; 1 p.m. Discovery Talk ‘‘Pinks and Chums and Kings, Oh My! Salmon in the Indian River.’’
    –Friday, June 27: 10 a.m. Totem Walk; and 1 p.m. Battle Walk.
    –Saturday, June 28: 9 a.m. Battle Walk; noon Totem Walk; 1 p.m. Totem Walk; 2:30 p.m. Discovery Talk ‘‘Bentwood Boxes.’’
    All ranger-led tours meet at the Sitka NHP visitor center on Lincoln Street.
    For more information about the ranger-guided tours at Sitka NHP, call the visitor center at 747-0110.

    Hoop House
    Gardening to be
    Series Topic
    The Sitka Local Foods Network is teaming up with local landscape architect and 20-year Sitka gardener Barth Hamberg to host a free discussion about high-tunnel or hoop house gardening at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, at Hamberg’s garden.
    High tunnels, also known as hoop houses or temporary greenhouses, extend the growing season so more food is produced before and after the traditional dates for growing stuff outdoors. High tunnels are different from greenhouses in that they are passively heated by the sun, so they have lower energy costs than greenhouses. This link has frequently asked questions and answers about seasonal high tunnel systems for crops.
    “Last summer I constructed a high tunnel with a grant from the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service),” Hamberg said. “This is my first season in production and I’m experimenting with many different plants and learning a lot about the advantages of the high tunnel. It’s working great.”
    Some of the topics Hamberg will discuss include: siting and constructing a high tunnel; selecting a high tunnel manufacturer and style of tunnel; planting for winter harvest; planting for early spring harvest; high tunnel maintenance requirements; irrigation systems; making the high tunnel an enjoyable place to work and to be; and  compost-based soil fertility in the high tunnel.
    “My interest is growing food in the most efficient and beautiful way possible,” Hamberg said.
    People interested in attending the discussion should call Hamberg at 738-9145 to reserve a space and to receive the address and directions to his garden.
    The Sitka Local Foods Network education committee has been hosting a series of “It’s time to …” workshops this spring and summer designed to help local residents learn about various aspects of vegetable gardening and fruit growing.
    ‘‘Many of these classes will be informal get-togethers at various gardens around town,’’ organizers said. ‘‘Please watch our website, Facebook page, Facebook group, and local news media for information about upcoming classes.’’
    Those wanting to lead an “It’s time to …” workshop can contact Michelle Putz at 747-2708.

    Sabbatical
    Program Set
    Alaska-based nonprofit and tribal executives interested in the Rasmuson Foundation’s Sabbatical Program have until Oct. 1 to apply. The program offers sabbaticals of two to six months and is entering its 11th year.
    Executives from tribes and all nonprofit sectors are eligible to apply. Applicants must be an Alaska resident with at least five years in the nonprofit sector and at least three years in the position of CEO, president, executive director, or tribal administrator.
    The program is designed to provide time away from the office for rest, personal renewal and professional growth.
    The sabbatical awards are for up to $40,000 to cover salary and expenses incurred during a two- to six-month sabbatical.
    Applications may be downloaded from the Rasmuson Foundation website or by calling (907) 297-2700.



    Island Institute

    Selected for Project
    The Island Institute is one of 10 Alaska arts organizations to be selected to participate in a new program to accelerate innovation and the adoption of “next practices” to promote greater sustainability in the arts.
    The program, titled New Pathways l Alaska, is a joint project of Rasmuson Foundation, EmcArts (a New York based nonprofit), The Foraker Group and the Alaska State Council on the Arts. New Pathways l Alaska provides, at no cost to organizations, workshops, consultation and coaching leading to the development of a major innovation project.
     “New research from The Foraker Group shows that 13 percent of all charitable nonprofits in Alaska are arts organizations, but these organizations only enjoy 4 percent of nonprofit revenues,’’ said Diane Kaplan, president of the Rasmuson Foundation. ‘‘This demonstrates that while the public desires access to arts experiences, organizations haven’t quite hit on the right formula to ensure their sustainability. We believe this approach will provide the opportunity for experimentation and learning that will benefit these organizations today and in the future.”
    Island Institute explores the links between the literary arts and community engagement through programs such as the Sitka Symposium, a weeklong gathering bringing the literary arts and creative thinking to the service of community, writers-in-residence and Sitka Fellows Programs, publication of the biannual literary journal ‘‘Connotations’’ and a community conversations series.
    For select participants, the program will provide up to $75,000 for scaling promising innovations; and a variety of online learning tools (housed on ArtsFwd.org) to capture and reinforce lessons learned and contribute to the national dialogue about innovation in the field.

    Story Time Set
    ‘‘Animals All Around’’ is the theme of the Fizz, Boom, Read Preschool Story Time program 10:30 a.m. June 26 at Kettleson Library.
    The program includes readings, rhymes, songs and a craft project. Everybody is welcome.
    For more information call the library at 747-8708.

    Teen Party Set at
    Kettleson Library
    The Teen Advisory Board will celebrate the Spark a Reaction summer reading program 7 p.m. June 27. It will include a ‘‘dancing flubber’’ contest and snacks.
    The event is for those age 13 and up. Registration is preferred. For more information, call the library at747-8708.

    Sitka Veterans
    Group to Meet
    The newly-formed Sitka Veterans Association will meet 5 p.m. Monday, June 23, at the SEARHC Community Health Building.
    Veterans are invited to become a part of the community group to assist veterans with their needs, work on a July 4 float, discuss the possibility of a veterans memorial in Sitka, and other topics.
    George Bennett will lead the meeting and can be reached at 966-8776.

    Garden Party
    To Prepare for
    Farmers Market
    Sitka Local Foods Network will host a garden party 2-4 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at the St. Peter’s Fellowship Farm communal garden, located behind St. Peter’s Church, to get the veggies ready for the first Sitka Farmers Market of the season.
    Produce grown at St. Peter’s Fellowship Farm is sold during the Sitka Farmers Markets to help fund Sitka Local Foods Network projects throughout the year. Some of the produce also is sold to people using SNAP benefits (food stamps) and to local schools for their lunch programs.
    The first Sitka Farmers Market of the season is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, at ANB Founders Hall. The remaining markets are on July 12, July 26, Aug. 9, Aug. 23 and Sept. 6.
    In addition to planting and weeding, there may be other garden chores to do. During these garden parties volunteers are needed to shovel dirt and sift soil, weed, mulch and spread fertilizer (seaweed) on the existing garden beds.
    Most garden tools will be provided, but shovels and pick-axes may be needed.
    Garden parties are kid-friendly, and we encourage volunteers to bring their children so they can learn where their food comes from.
    For more information, contact St. Peter’s Fellowship Farm lead gardener Laura Schmidt at 623-7003 or 738-7009, or Lisa Sadleir-Hart at 747-5985.

    Cancer Support
    Group to Meet
    Sitka Cancer Support Group will meet 1 p.m. June 22 at Brave Heart Volunteers Manager’s House of the Pioneers Home located behind the Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool on Seward Street.
    Those in cancer treatment and cancer survivors are invited to spend some time with others who understand what they are going through. The support group is sponsored by Sitka Cancer Survivors Society. Call or email Mary Beth with questions, or if a ride is needed to attend, at 623-0842, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

    4th of July Parade
    Theme Announced
    ‘‘Land of the Free, Home of the Brave’’ will be the theme of the July 4 parade, the Chamber has announced.
    The theme marks the 200th anniversary of ‘‘The Star Spangled Banner.’’ In 1814 Francis Scott Key wrote the poem that was later to become the country’s national anthem.
    Parade entries and the $25 entry fee must be received no later than June 27. Registration forms can be found at www.sitkachamber.com. The Chamber said that late entries will be placed at the end of the parade and there will be no exceptions.
    The Fourth of July Community Events Calendar can be found online at the Sitka Chamber website. To submit events to the calendar, email details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . To have an event included on the 4th of July poster, submit event details by Sunday, June 22.
    For any questions, contact Jennifer at the Sitka Chamber of Commerce by phone at 747-8604 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .


Luis Alberto Urrea.
(Photo provided)

    Storyteller Urrea to be Here
    In July for Sitka Symposium   
    In the course of researching his first book, Luis Alberto Urrea spent four years living among the people who make a home of the Tijuana garbage dump. He was working among Tijuana’s most marginalized people as a translator for a missionary, and took hundreds of pages of notes, documenting, in his words, “stories of moments in the lives of people most of us never see, never think about, and don’t even know exist.”
    Urrea has had 13 books published since then, winning awards and recognition for his unflinching capacity to deliver hard-hitting truths with lyrical elegance, fueled as much by love, empathy, and hope as by rage and cynicism.
    Urrea will be here for the Sitka Symposium, which runs July 20-26. This year’s symposium theme is ‘‘Radical Imagining: Changing the Story With Stories of Change,’’ and the week’s discussions and events will illustrate the power of story to foster empathy and drive change in our communities.
    “We’re incredibly excited to have Luis with us in Sitka for a week,’’ Island Institute Associate Director Peter Bradley said. ‘‘He’s a hugely talented storyteller who has spent his career crafting narratives that open up minds and hearts to subjects that readers previously ignored or avoided.”
    ‘‘Across The Wire’’ was the beginning of Urrea’s career-spanning exposition of the forgotten, ignored, and misunderstood people stuck in the borderlands, and he followed that book with a second, post-NAFTA trip to the dump in the mid 1990s. In ‘‘The Devil’s Highway,’’ Urrea tells the story of a particularly deadly 2001 border crossing, investigating the political and social climate on both sides of the borders that allowed that crossing to go as badly as it did.
    Over the two decades since his first publication, Urrea has become equally renowned for his fiction. Though he spent years researching them, he didn’t need to look far for inspiration for his most beloved novels, ‘‘The Hummingbird’s Daughter’’ and ‘‘Queen of America.’’ Those collect the story of Urrea’s great-aunt, Teresita, a traditional healer and revolutionary who became known as The Saint Of Cabora in the 1890s as she stood in the way of an indigenous genocide.
    Bradley says that those books “Are among the finest novels I’ve read. They are magical and lyrical adventure yarns, utterly gripping, offering a glance into a time and a way of life that I’d have no hope of understanding otherwise”.
    Other faculty joining Urrea for the symposium are Native activist and author Winona LaDuke; bestselling science writer and journalist Alan Weisman; and community-engaged artist Molly Sturges. The Island Institute will host a conversation about Luis Urrea’s work in advance of the symposium on July 3 in the Sitka Pioneers Home Chapel. Like the other faculty members, Urrea will lead an evening event, a morning talk, and an afternoon writing workshop at the symposium. He’ll also deliver a talk at TEDxSitka on July 20 at Odess Theater in Allen Hall.
    Each evening of the symposium will feature a special event. On July 21, Winona LaDuke will be at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi; on July 22, a film night, featuring ‘‘Chasing Ice,’’ will be held at Centennial Hall; July 22 features Molly Sturges and a community potluck at Sweetland Hall on the SJ Campus; and on July 24, Alan Weisman and Luis Urrea will read at Odess Theater.
    The symposium will take to the water on June 25 with a dinner cruise sponsored by Allen Marine. Registration for the full symposium is still open, and tickets to individual events will be available soon.
    Major support for the Sitka Symposium has come from the Alaska Humanities Forum, The Skaggs Foundation, and Island Institute members. For further information, visit The Island Institute website at www.islandinstitutealaska.org or call 747-3794.


    ANB to Meet
    Alaska Native Brotherhood will meet 7 p.m. Monday, June 23, at the ANB Founders Hall. For more information call Allen Bird at 623-7244.


    Library Modifies
    Saturday Hours
    Kettleson Memorial Library is modifying its Saturday hours beginning July 5.
    Current Saturday hours are 1-9 p.m. Beginning July 5, hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
    The library said that due to the many Saturday morning children’s programs and activities, opening earlier will allow staff on duty to cover those events without bringing in extra staff.

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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Matthew C. Hunter of Sitka recently returned from Cuba as part of a St. Olaf College International and Off-Campus Studies program. Hunter, a junior physics major at St. Olaf College, is the son of Robert and Kim Hunter of Sitka.


50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Eighth graders have returned from a visit to Juneau to see the Legislature. They had worked for it since Christmas vacation ... Clarice Johnson’s idea of a “White Elephant” sales was chosen as the best money-maker; Joe Roth won the political cartoon assignment; highest government test scorers were Ken Armstrong, Joanna Hearn, Linda Montgomery, Lisa Henry, Calvin Taylor and David Licari .....

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