Daily Sitka Sentinel

January 22, 2016 Community Happenings

Hospital Foundation

Meeting on Feb. 11

Kay Turner, DPT, Long-Term Health Unit administrator, will speak and answer questions at the Sitka Community Hospital Foundation meeting in the hospital classroom, noon-1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11,.

Lunch is available at the Bistro and is free to members. Contact Pauline Fredrickson, 747-8453, before 10:15 a.m.

Boards in Need

Of Volunteers

Volunteer positions are available on several municipal boards and commissions, including Parks and Recreation Committee, Animal Hearing Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Investment Committee, Police and Fire Commission, Port and Harbors Commission, Local Emergency Planning Committee, and Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board of Directors.

Letters of interest and board application may be submitted to the Municipal Clerk’s Office at 100 Lincoln Street. Applications are available online at www.cityofsitka.com or at the clerk’s office. For further information, call Melissa Henshaw at 747-1826.

Applications Ready

For Girls on Ice

Girls on Ice, a free wilderness education program, is accepting applications through Jan. 29.

Each year, two teams of nine teenage girls and three instructors spend 12 days exploring and learning about mountain glaciers and alpine landscapes in Alaska or Washington through scientific field studies with professional glaciologists, artists and mountaineers.

The program, operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Natural Science and Mathematics, will offer two expeditions this year:

It is designed specifically for girls ages 16 to 18 who are from Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Yukon or California. The Alaska expedition runs June 17–28, and girls sleep under the midnight sun while exploring an Alaska glacier.

The North Cascades expedition runs July 10–21. 

Girls are able to participate in this program tuition-free through small grants, gifts from individuals and support from the National Science Foundation, the Alaska Climate Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

For more information and to learn about the application process, go to http://girlsonice.org/apply/.

‘PA Trek’ Topic

Of UAS Seminar 

The next Natural History seminar features Sitkans Dan Evans and Eric Speck giving a talk “An Epic journey to Port Alexander” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, in Room 229 at UAS-Sitka Campus.

Evans and Speck undertook a trek spanning four summers to hike from Sitka to Port Alexander. Their trip took them over many highs and lows, including route-finding over unfamiliar terrain, dwindling food supplies, bears and the weather.

Attendees will hear of the adventure through stories and photographs.

Funding for the seminar series is provided by a grant to the Sitka Sound Science Center by the Sitka Alaska Permanent Charitable Trust in partnership with the University of Alaska Southeast. For more information contact Kitty LaBounty at 747-9432 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Open Sewing Set

Ocean Wave Quilt Guild will sponsor open sewing 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at Church of Christ on Kashevaroff Street.

The activity is open to members and non-members for fellowship and a potluck lunch. Call Audrey at 907-623-0301 with questions.

Quilters Gather

Ocean Wave Quilt Guild will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Grace Harbor Church across from Sea Mart. Call Megan Pasternak at 747-5943 with questions.

Open Volleyball

Clinics On Tap

Sitka Community Schools is offering two volleyball clinics 7:30-10 a.m. Feb. 2 and 4 at Blatchley Middle School.

Attendees can hone their skills, then join in a game during the last hour. Entry fee is $10 with proceeds going to the Sitke High School volleyball team.

Local Foods Panel Posts

Spring Garden Classes

Several spring garden classes have been laid out by the Sitka Local Foods Network education committee.

Classes will cover a variety of topics, from gardening basics and choosing what veggies to grow in Sitka to extending one’s gardening season, composting and seed-starting.

A class on abundant landscaping, and classes on growing rhubarb and potatoes will be offered.

Some of the classes have limited space and require preregistration. Most of the classes are free, but donations are accepted. One of the classes has a minimal materials fee.

More classes will be added to the list as they become available, at http://www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org/. Individual class announcements also will be posted as class dates get closer.

Classes to date are:

‘‘Vegetable Gardening 101’’ for beginners, 6:30-8 p.m., Jan. 27, at Sitka Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall. No preregistration is required.

‘‘Choosing What Veggies to Grow in Sitka’’ for beginners, 6:30-8 p.m., Feb. 10, at Sitka Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall. No preregistration is required.

‘‘Extending Your Gardening Season’’ 2 p.m. March 12, at the Perry Edwards/Michelle Putz home, 131 Shelikof Way.

‘‘Starting Vegetable Seedlings Workshop,’’ 6:30-8 p.m. March 23, Sitka Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall. Participants go home with a tray of planted seeds. Space is limited. The materials fee is $10. Preregistration is required.

‘‘Abundant Landscaping,’’ 2 p.m., April 2, at Sitka Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall. No preregistration is required.

‘‘Growing and Fertilizing Rhubarb,’’ 9 a.m., April 9, at the Perry Edwards/Michelle Putz home. No preregistration required.

‘‘Everyone Can Compost,’’ 6:30-8 p.m., April 20, at Sitka Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall. No preregistration is required.

‘‘Growing Potatoes In Sitka,’’ 9 a.m., Saturday, April 23, at the Perry Edwards/Michelle Putz home. No preregistration is required.

The new downtown teaching garden also will be launched as growing season grows closer. Those classes will be open to the public.

For more information or to sign up for classes requiring preregistration, contact Jennifer Carter at 747-0520 or 1-850-491-2666 (cell).

Georgia Discussed

At Unitarian Meet

At Sunday’s Unitarian Fellowship meeting, Rich McClear will present “Yogurt, Wine and the Church: Georgia’s secrets of national survival in a rough neighborhood.”

The South Caucuses are one of the cradles of civilization, fertile with a moderate climate and an important part of the “Silk Road” between the Orient and Europe, McClear said. They have faced invaders from Alexander the Great to Vladimir Putin, including Romans, Persians, Arabs, Armenians, two different types of Turks and Mongols.

‘‘Georgia borders trouble spots Chechnya and Dagestan and has two provinces currently occupied by Putin,’’ McClear said. ‘‘Yet Georgia is a successful country with its unique and vibrant culture and language.’’

McClear has been traveling to Georgia for work for 12 years.

Fellowship begins at 10:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:45. Soup and bread follows at noon. The Fellowship Hall is located at 408 Marine Street, with parking behind off Spruce Street.

On Honor Roll

Raeanna Wood of Sitka has achieved a place on the University of Evansville dean’s list for academic achievements for fall semester 2015. Wood is majoring in archaeology

To make the Dean’s List, a student must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

The Sitka High School graduate is the daughter of Jack and Katy Wood.

White E Changes

Donation Drop-Off

The White Elephant Shop’s donation drop-off area will be at the opposite side of the building by the children’s store entrance beginning Saturday, Jan. 30.

A parking space is available for those dropping off. A banner and signs will designate the location.

The White E asks that patrons not park at the current donation area as it is closed to allow neighbors to access their property. 

4-H to Meet

The 4-H monthly meeting will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church.

It is open to all 4-H families as well as those interested in learning more about 4-H in Sitka. Contact Mary for more information at 747-7509 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Ash Wednesday

Services Feb. 10

Ash Wednesday services will be held at noon and 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.

All are invited to join the congregation as it begins the season of Lent. The church is located at 611 Lincoln St. For additional information, contact the church office at 747-3977 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Shrove Tuesday

Pancake Supper

St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church invites the community to the annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper  6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 in the See House, behind the church.

For more information, contact the church office at 747-3977 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 ‘Nome’ Topic

Of Presentation

A group of three intrepid bird watchers went to Nome, searching for birds, and found much more.

The group will reflect on its experiences in the remote Alaskan community and discuss the region’s dynamic landscape, abundant wildlife and rich cultural heritage. The program will be 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at the Sitka National Historical Park visitor center.

Call the park’s visitor center at 747-0110 for more information.

‘Owls’ Topic of

Park Film Showing

Delve into the secretive lives of owls during the Winter Film Series’ screening of ‘‘Owl Power,’’ 7 p.m. Jan. 28 and 2 p.m. Jan. 30 at Sitka National Historical Park visitor center.

The PBS film follows young barn owl chicks as they develop and explores the fascinating adaptations that allow owls to thrive in the dark.

The Winter Film Series, held monthly at the park’s visitor center, is jointly presented by Sitka National Historical Park, Sitka Conservation Society and the Sitka Sound Science Center. Free popcorn will be provided at each screening. For more information contact Ryan Carpenter at 747-0121 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

Garage Sale Set

For BMS Jazz

A garage sale fundraiser for Blatchley Middle School jazz band will be 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, in the Rasmuson Building – the gray A-frame building past the museum on the SJ Campus.

Treasures, clothing, coffee and cookies will be on sale. 

SAFV Family Fiesta,

Dessert Auction Set

Sitkans Against Family Violence will hold its annual Family Fiesta fundraiser 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, at the ANB Founders Hall.

Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. A dessert auction is planned. Tickets are available at the door, $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10.

Dessert donations are being sought and can be dropped off at the hall by 5:30 p.m. on the day of the dinner, or  call for a pick-up. For more information, call 747-3370. 

Pistol Shooters

League to Begin

Sitka Sportsman’s Association offers competitive pistol shooting leagues at the Indoor Range, 5211 Halibut Point Road.

Held for 12 weeks, 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays starting Jan. 26 will be for .22 pistols, and Thursdays starting Jan. 28 for center-fire pistols. The indoor range will be open for practice 7-9 p.m.  Wednesdays and noon-2 p.m. Saturdays.

The fees include an SSA membership current or $30 annual, SSA Shooter’s Card current or $40, and Pistol League $35, includes targets and time.

For more information, contact Foy Nevers, 747-3469.

UAF Series to Run

On UAS Campus

Over the next several weeks, UAS Sitka will be broadcasting seminars from UAF on topics in environmental and human health. 

The first will be 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, in room 106 at the UAS campus. The series will run through February.

Dr. Jenifer McBeath, a professor in the School of Natural Resources, will speak on environmentally smart agriculture in the Arctic. All are invited to attend.