Daily Sitka Sentinel

May 4, 2021, Community Happenings

Ferry Schedule

Changed May 5

The LeConte sailing scheduled for Lynn Canal on May 5 has been canceled to add a Sitka sailing to accommodate traffic originally scheduled on the Matanuska.

The Alaska Marine Highway System said the LeConte will depart Juneau on May 5 at midnight and arrive in Sitka at 9:30 a.m. The ship will depart Sitka at noon and arrive in Juneau at 9:30 p.m. 

Passengers are being notified and rebooked or refunded as necessary. The new sailing schedule is available at www.FerryAlaska.com, or contact the AMHS reservation call center by dialing 1-907-465-3941 or toll-free at 1-800-642-0066.

Service notices and schedule updates may be found at dot.alaska.gov/amhs/service_notices.shtml.

Sitka LIO Office

Appointments Taken

Staff members are at the Sitka Legislative Information Office daily by appointment.

Sitkans can call 747-6276, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., to set up an appointment.

‘Story Trail’ Set

At National Park

Sitka National Historical Park visitors can take a short hike through the park while reading Sitka author Michaela Goade’s Caldecott-winning book posted along the trail.

Using a smartphone individuals can  access QR codes with discussion questions and additional information. The story trail runs May 7-9 during regular hours. It is part of the Outdoor Challenge sponsored by Wooch.een Tlingit Haida Headstart and the Sitka School District.

Fishermen’s Flea

Market May 15

The annual Fishermen’s Flea Market is planned 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 15, at Mt. Edgecumbe High School and UAS-Sitka Campus parking lots.

Those with marine-related items to sell can load their vehicles and park in front of the MEHS gym prior to 9 a.m.

Buyers are asked to park at the UAS parking lot.

For more information call Denise at 747-5012. The market is sponsored by Southeast Alaska Women In Fisheries.

Keet Kids Run I

By Sitkans Against Family Violence

Keet Kids Run I toowú klatseen is a 10-week virtual after-school program for second- through fifth-grade students of all genders that helps build self-esteem, healthy relationship skills, and respect through fun activities and movement.

The program, an adapted version of Boys Run I toowú klatseen created in response to COVID-19, incorporates cultural activities that honor Southeast Alaska traditional tribal values. More than 30 Sitka students participate weekly.

During the eighth week of the program, Keet Kids Run participants focused on positive leadership and holding each other up. Coaches and participants discussed standing up to both verbal and physical bullying. Participants talked about what leadership looks like and how to speak to others with care. They also journaled about or drew ways to help when they witnessed bullying. Week eight’s physical challenge was for participants to build their own hopscotch. 

Throughout this season, we will be providing the Sitka community with updates on Keet Kids Run. We also aim to give mentors and parents an opportunity to pass on skills from Keet Kids Run to the children in their life. Consider using these conversation starters:

– What does it look and sound like when we are positive leaders?

– How does working together and listening to each other’s ideas help us to succeed?

– What does it mean to hold each other up? What does that look like?

Keet Kids Run I toowú klatseen is brought to you by Sitka Counseling, Sitka School District, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Sitkans Against Family Violence, and Youth Advocates of Sitka, all members of the Pathways to a Safer Sitka Coalition. Pathways brings together diverse agencies and organizations and is dedicated to building equitable, accessible and culturally responsive services and systems to ensure individuals are connected, cared for, and contributing back to their community.

The Keet Kids Run 5K fun run, another activity in the Sheet’ká Active Family Outdoor Challenge, will take place at the Crescent Harbor Shelter at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 22. All families are invited to participate in this COVID-conscious event and are eligible to win prizes by sharing a photo on the top post of the Sitka Kids Facebook page. Please go to sitkakids.com/family-outdoor-challenge to find more information and additional challenge activities from the Pathways Coalition.

Seats Open on

City Committees

Volunteer positions are available on several municipal boards and commissions, including: Animal Hearing Board (category specific seats), Building Department Appeals Board, Historic Preservation Commission (category of at-large) Library Commission, and Tree and Landscape Committee.

Persons may submit a letter of interest and board application 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 at 747-1826 or email clerk@cityofsitka.org.

City Utility Relief

Certificate Needed

Those who applied for the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Rent/Utility Relief program and have received an “Approval Certificate” must provide a copy of it to the City and Borough of Sitka’s utility office to avoid having electricity disconnected for non-payment.

Residents can provide a copy of their AHFC approval certificate, along with the account number or location of the utility account, by mailing a hard copy to 100 Lincoln Street, Sitka AK 99835; sending a copy via email to utilities@cityofsitka.org; or by dropping it off at the customer service counter at City Hall, 100 Lincoln Street.

The city has not been informed which customers have been approved for the relief program.

Bears Active;

Park to Post

Color Coding

Bears are once again active in Sitka, and bear footprints have been reported in Sitka National Historical Park.

In anticipation of the bears’ return, park staff members have compiled a new bear plan intended to better and more consistently advise people on park trails of recent bear activity, the park said.

‘‘This summer you will see signs at park trailheads that use an escalating color code (green-amber-red) to caution you about bear activity,’’ the park said. ‘‘If you do not see a sign, that means no bear observations have been reported recently.’’

– Green signs mean bears have been in the area (overnight use, recent scat or tracks).

–Amber signs mean bears are periodically using limited areas near the river. Nearby trails that have been closed will be clearly signed.

–Red signs mean bears are consistently present throughout the park during open hours. Risk of an encounter is high. All trails are closed and clearly signed.

Visitors can help staff by reporting all bear observations in the park by calling in the new bear hotline at 907-747-0145, at the visitor center, or telling any park ranger.

‘‘Please include the date, time, and location of the bear sighting and a quick description of the bear and what it was doing,’’ park staff said.

The area near Kaasdahéen (Indian River) is bear habitat, the park said.

‘‘Bears are a part of our surroundings and the natural ecosystem at Sitka National Historical Park,’’ personnel said. ‘‘Use the new bear activity signs as a guide to inform your decision about whether or not to use a trail. Realize that bears could be present at unexpected times. We hope you will join us in respecting the awesomeness, power, and laws of nature that govern bear behavior, and please be bear aware.’’

For suggestions on how to behave when a bear is nearby, visit www.nps.gov/sitk/learn/nature/mammals.htm.

Traffic Restricted

At MEHS May 6

Mt. Edgecumbe High School’s graduation ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 6, at the main campus parking lot.

Motorists are requested not to enter the parking lot between the gym and brick administration building between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 6.

‘Share Your Heart’

Stories on Tap

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Brave Heart Volunteers is collecting stories about how it has impacted the lives of Sitkans.

In 750 words or less, individuals can  tell BHV the “who, what, when, where, why and how” it has made a difference, then email it to office@braveheartvolunteers.org. Photos also can be sent.

Those who write are reminded BHV   will be publishing stories on its website, social media, and newsletter.Details that breach confidentiality may have to be edited. 

‘‘Also, if you do not want your story shared publicly or you wish to remain anonymous, please let us know,’’ the organization said. ‘‘We look forward to hearing from you!’’

Emblem Club

Meets May 13

Sitka Emblem Club will hold a business meeting 7 p.m. May 13 at the Sitka Elks Lodge.

Nominations will be accepted for the offices of press correspondence, historian and first assistance marshal.

Those who are interested in one of the offices, or having questions, can contact Sitka Emblem Club President Cora Nisbet at 738-5002 or conransitkaemblem@outlook.com.

Group Bike Ride

Slated Saturday

Sitka Trail Works will host a free group bike ride 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 8, to celebrate Bike Month and to kick off its summer hike program. 

It begins at the Salty Spoke Bike Coop behind the Hames Center and will follow the Cross Trail to the high school and back. Riders can tour the new mountain bike trails with Sitka Cycling Club volunteer builder Doug Osbourne.

 A schedule of volunteer-led hikes is available online at sitkatrailworks.org.

USDA Food Box

Distribution Slated

Sitka Tribe of Alaska’ Social Services Department will hold USDA Food Box Distributions 10 a.m.-noon on May 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kaahidi Community House, 200 Katlian Street.

Boxes are distributed on a first-come, first-served, basis. Those needing a box delivered can call 747-7293 before Friday.

Health Networking

Meeting May 21

The Sitka Health Summit Coalition’s monthly Wooch.een (together in Tlingit) health networking and learning meeting will be held virtually noon-1 p.m. on Friday, May 21.

The purpose of the meeting is to spark partnerships and to promote cross sector collaboration, learning, and networking to improve the well-being in Sitka. For information go to sitkahealthsummit.org. If interested in joining the meeting, contact Amanda Roberts at amandar@searhc.org for the Zoom meeting connect information.

Simply Sustainable

Parenting Discussed

The Early Childhood Coalition invites the public to a Zoom presentation at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, with mom influencer Lindsay Short.

Short will pose the question: “How can we make sure our children fall in love with the planet?” The program is an opportunity to learn what sustainable parenting looks like in Cincinnati, Ohio, and tell about efforts to get kids outside, love nature, hike, garden and love the planet, the coalition said.

Registration is open at tinyurl.com/sustainableparenting. The presentation is part of the Outdoor Challenge, sponsored by the Early Childhood Coalition.

‘Go Outside!’

Presentation Set

Parents who want to help their child focus, sleep better, be healthier and happier are invited to join parent educator Nancy Blakey to talk about the power of going outside.

The Zoom event will be 7 p.m.  Thursday, May 13. Blakey will talk about the power in “green time” and the benefits of stepping away from screens. Register at tinyurl.com/Sitkagreen.

The program is part of the Outdoor Challenge, sponsored by the Early Childhood Coalition.

Cherry Pie Kit

Giveaway May 13

Fifty cherry pie kits will be handed out noon-2 p.m. Thursday, May 13, at the SEACC Building on Baranof Street.

Individuals can get a cherry pie kit and accompanying children’s book. The event is part of the Outdoor Challenge, sponsored by the Early Childhood Coalition.

The public can tune in to the Zoom cherry pie-making event and demonstration 4-5:30 p.m., sponsored by 4-H of Sitka. Register at tinyurl.com/sitkapie. The Ten Tree Challenge at www.sitkakids.com will wrap up the cherry pie series. 

Pie-Making Event

Via Zoom Slated

The public can sign up to learn how to make cherry pie through a 4-H Sitka event and demonstration 4-5:30 p.m.  Friday, May 14, via Zoom.

Individuals can register at tinyurl.com/sitkapie. Organizers said to keep an eye out for the Ten Tree Challenge at www.sitkakids.com as it will wrap up the cherry pie series.

Volunteer Work

Party at Boathouse

The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society will hold a volunteer work party to rebuild a wall on the Japonski Island Boatshop 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 8.

Volunteers should be moderately skilled for the project to restore a historic wall, organizers said.

Masks are required and volunteers should take gloves and tools if they have them. Volunteers can be there part or all the time. Project leaders will provide training in historic preservation principles and methods.

Coffee and snacks will be provided. Call 738-7448 or email sitkamaritime@gmail.com for information, or go to sitkamaritime.org.