Daily Sitka Sentinel

September 30, 2022, Community Happenings

Life Celebration

For Robert Hicks

Set for Saturday

A celebration of the life of Robert Hicks will be held noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Sitka Elks Lodge, followed by a reception by the Emblem Club.

Pastor Bennie Grace Nabua of Sitka United Methodist Church will officiate.

At noon on Monday, October 3, his ashes will be interred in the Columbarium at the Sitka National Cemetery, with a U.S. Coast Guard Honor Guard.

ATC Robert (RD) Hicks, U.S. Coast Guard retired, died in Juneau Aug. 3 at the age of 82. He was a former Sitka resident.

Blessing of Pets

Planned Oct. 5

A Blessing of the Pets service will be 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 on the front lawn of the Sitka Pioneers Home.

All are welcome to take their pets for a special blessing.

For information, send an email to stpetersbytheseak@gmail.com or call (907) 747-3977 and leave a message and someone will return the call.

Life Celebration

For Ed Newberg

A celebration of Ed Newberg’s life will be held 1-6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Ed’s Shop, 688 Indian River Road.

‘‘Join us for a beer, food and many tales of Ed’s great life,’’ family members said. ‘‘Please bring a chair, if you are able.’’

Ed died March 22 at the home of a daughter in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.

United Way of SE Readies

For Day of Caring Oct. 3

United Way of Southeast Alaska is will hold its Fourth Day of Caring in Sitka, Monday, Oct. 3.

The event, in which nonprofit agencies offer a service project to be completed, is returning after a hiatus since 2019.

It offers residents, schools, and local businesses opportunities to volunteer their time to help the community.

In the 2019 event, completed projects included those for Southeast Alaska Independent Living, Sitkans Against Family Violence, Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and the Fortress of the Bear. In total, 14 employee volunteers from SEARHC, Wells Fargo, GCI and Northrim Bank donated more than 55 hours of their time to complete the projects.

UAS-Sitka Campus will again be providing the location for the kick-off breakfast. Volunteers will receive a “LIVE UNITED” T-shirt, along with a complimentary breakfast at 8 a.m. Volunteers will then complete various service projects.

The day is still in the planning and coordinating stages. Both non-profits who have a service project needing completion and volunteers willing to donate no more than four hours of service to give back to their communities are still needed.

Agencies and business interested in participating can sign up online https://www.unitedwayseak.org/form/2022-day-of-caring. For additional information call Marcia, the Resource Development Director, at 907-463-5530 or email at staff@unitedwayseak.org.

Alaska Pioneers

To Meet Oct. 6

The Sitka Igloo of Pioneers of Alaska will begin the winter season with a potluck get-together at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, at Centennial Hall, room 7.

The room is in the back of the building, with plenty of parking, the organization said. For those parking in front, there will be directions to room 7.

The main dish and beverages will be provided for the potluck; additional dishes are needed and welcome.

Sitka residents with more than 20 years in Alaska are invited with their families. There are historians, story-tellers, and memories of the past from all over Alaska, right here in Sitka, the organization said.

Pioneers are interested in Alaska stories and program ideas for future films and speakers.

For more information, call John Stein, 907-738-2677.

Climate Connection:

Transformative Change

The year 2022 has demonstrated a taste of what is ahead with the climate crisis: Hurricane Ian in Florida; Fiona in Puerto Rico; wildfires all over the world; heat domes; floods submerging one-third of Pakistan and coastal cities everywhere; Typhoon Merbok in western Alaska, etc. It will get worse as global temperature surpasses 2 degrees C per the Paris Accord 2030 target. Positive natural feedback loops spinning beyond our human control will further accelerate global warming, making the more ambitious target of capping temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C unattainable. Local, national, and international levels of government will be hard-pressed to cope with resulting food and energy shortages, migration from uninhabitable regions, economic stress, and civil unrest, let alone to decrease human greenhouse gas emissions. Our political economy has failed most of us in its inability to protect the earth from private greed, in the drive to increase gross domestic product, in subsidizing greenhouse gas pollution, and in response to pandemics, societal divisions, and inequities. 

The urgency of acting on climate change in this decade to decrease loss, suffering, and premature death does not leave time to fundamentally transform our political economy to government policies that benefit all of us. We might aspire to creating a system that reins in unrelenting growth and exploitation of our commons. We might want governments that ensure all citizens’ health, shelter, food, work, and equity. Instead, we have to work within the current political economy to hold companies and banks accountable for investing in pollution that warms the earth while lining the pockets of the few. We have to unite the isolated silos of activism directed against poverty, racism, gender discrimination, voter suppression, disinformation, environmental injustice, incarceration, and inhumanity to migrants. All of these criticisms of our current political economy require action, but action is impeded by having to adapt to the climate crisis. Societal deficiencies and the climate crisis share similar causes and need for system transformation.  We need to unite to share community solutions with compassion, listening to those of different persuasions and cultures, and generosity. 

In this election season, much is at stake at all levels of government. For local, national, and global survival, we cannot depend on fossil fuels. We need a system transformation, but we have to act within the political economy we have. It seems unlikely we can turn around the climate crisis trajectory in time to meet the modest goals of the Paris Accords. But every step we take to elect politicians that understand the required adaptation to our crisis shifts the political will to transform our system, to less harm and less chaos. Please vote on October 4 and November 8. 

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Kay Kreiss

Transition Sitka and Sitka Citizens Climate Lobby

Flow Fluctuations

In City Water

The city is in the process of bringing the secondary water treatment plant online, so customers may notice pressure and flow fluctuations, and cloudy water.

To alleviate these problems, run the cold water for a few minutes until it clears, the city said.

Call the public works department with questions at 907-747-1804.

New Archangel

Dancers Recruit

New Archangel Dancers is recruiting for new members.

‘‘Come and learn some new folk dance steps and check us out Oct. 24, 7-9 p.m.,’’ the dancers said. ‘‘Bring a friend and come and dance. New Archangel Dancers would love to have you.’’

The all-volunteer women’s group for age 18 and older has been dancing and performing for 53 years. It is free to join and no experience is necessary.

Recruitment is year-round. For more information call (907)747-5516, email newarchangel@gci.net or check the Instagram or Facebook page ‘‘New Archangel Dancers.’’

Alaska Storytellers

Performance Friday

Sitkans are invited to a free, 30-minute performance by Alaska Storytellers 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30, at ANB Founders Hall.

The show highlights hundreds of years of Sitka’s history through locally created dance, art and narrative. It is suitable for all ages. Admission is free; however, donations will  be accepted to benefit the ANB Hall.

For information call Kris Wilcox at 907-752-0447.

Paralytic Shellfish 

Toxin Advisory

Two Sitka area beaches have been reported as having high paralytic shellfish toxin levels.

Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research said today in a press release that both Aleutkina Bay and Behive beaches tested above the regulatory limit in PST levels for pink scallops.

PSTs cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. Consuming wild shellfish from these sites may result in an increased risk of PSP.

SEATOR notes that these beaches are not among SEATOR monitoring sites and do not have regular testing for PSTs. Shellfish data is only available based on species provided for individual testing.

Sitkans Can Take

Tourism Survey

The city’s planning and community development department is conducting an end-of-season tourism survey through Oct. 15 to gather information on how execution of the Short-Term Tourism Plan worked this summer to help inform the Assembly and Planning Commission for the next season.

Visit: https://www.cityofsitka.com for more information and to take the survey.

Call with any questions at 907.747.1814 or email planning@cityofsitka.org.

SJ Museum

Artist O’Gara

To Give Talk

Sheldon Jackson Museum artist-in-residence Debra Dzijuksuk O’Gara (Tlingit, Yup’ik, Irish) will give an artist talk 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Sheldon Jackson Museum.

She will speak on a selection of artifacts from the museum collection. The talk will be held in-person at the museum and simultaneously on zoom. Call the museum at (907) 747-8981 to reserve a spot to attend in-person.

O’Gara is Tlingit, Yup’ik, Irish and Raven from the Teey hit taan clan of Wrangell. She currently lives in Petersburg. Her mom was born and raised in Mountain Village, Alaska, and now lives in Juneau. Her grandmother, Frances Tamaree Sheppard, was born in Wrangell and died young. Her great-grandmother Tillie Paul Tamaree was a civil rights activist and mother to William and Louis Paul. Tillie’s second husband and Djik’s great grandfather, William Tamaree, was a community leader and carver.

Zoom details: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84107978230?pwd=bGJsdXI4aWQ3VXFaWDlWSWJ0U2RMQT09; Meeting ID: 841 0797 8230; Passcode: 308552.

The museum open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. New hours, beginning Oct. 2, will be Tuesday by appointment, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The museum is closed holidays. Admission after Oct. 1 is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and free for ages 18 and under and active duty military. Call (907) 747-8981 to confirm hours. 

Pedestrians Get

Closure Notice

The city has opened Katlian Street to two-way vehicle traffic in the 400 block, but pedestrian traffic remains closed.

Everyone should use caution and follow all signage, the city public works department said. Call (907)747-1804 with questions.

Calvary Chapel

Program Sunday

The Sunday Calvary Chapel Sitka will present teaching focusing on the ‘‘10 Days of Awe and Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement).’’

Yom Kippur begins on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 4, and is considered the highest of Israel’s 7 feasts. The service starts at 2:30 p.m. at 502 Hirst Street. Contact Pastor Dug at 907-747-5454 with questions.

Unitarians Offer

Talk on Peru

Sitkan Victor Wong, originally from Peru, will discuss life in Peru and show “photos you won’t find on Google” at the Sunday meeting of the Sitka Unitarian Fellowship. 

All are invited to attend. Coffee is at 10:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:45 a.m. Soup and bread follow the program at noon. The Fellowship Hall is located at 408 Marine Street, with parking behind off Spruce Street.

Senior Center

Revitalization is

Subject of Event

The public is invited to join the Sitka Health Summit Coalition 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the ANB Founders Hall as they begin to plan a yearlong project to revitalize the Swan Lake Senior Center and its programs.

The project to benefit elders has received support and a $2,000 grant from the Health Summit Coalition.

Saturday’s program will include an overview of the project, an invitation to guests to brainstorm ideas for new programs and services. Fresh-cooked fry bread, with toppings will be offered, courtesy of Rachel Moreno.

Donations will augment the grant and help with needed facility maintenance and program expansion, organizers said.

The afternoon will wrap up with Bingocize – combining traditional bingo with light exercise. Masks are highly recommended. For information email Barb at bbingham23@gmail.com, or call 907-738-3557.

Beatles Grind

Slated Oct. 8

The Beatles Grind will be staged Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m. Tickets only will be sold at the door.

Attendees can take a dessert for the contest. Bring your own mug.  Admission cost is $5 for all ages.   Call Melinda at 907-966-2557 with questions.

Indigenous Peoples

Day Celebrated;

Peltola to Speak

Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola will give the keynote address at the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration 5-8 p.m. Oct. 10 at UAS-Sitka Campus. Peltola will speak at 6 p.m.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and festivities kick off with an Indigenous artists market and light refreshments. Following Peltola’s presentation, breakout sessions will begin at 7 p.m. Minors attending the event must be supervised by a parent or guardian.

This year’s theme is “Our Journey Forward” translated by UAS Professor X’unei Lance Twitchell as Has Du Ítx̱ Yaa Ntoo.át Haa Shuká Aa Hás meaning ‘‘We Are Following Them, The Ones Who Went Ahead of Us (Our Ancestors).’’ 

Land Acknowledgement

Discussions Planned

In partnership with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, the UAS-Sitka Campus hosted a series of discussion panels on land acknowledgements with local stakeholders.

The first panel, “Indigenous Perspectives from Sheet’ka,” will be screened at 2 p.m. on Oct. 8.

The second panel, “An Integration Into Your Place of Work,” will be screened at 2 p.m. on Oct. 9.

Both public screenings will take place in Room 229 at UAS and will include free popcorn.

Winter Troll

Fishery on Tap

The Southeast Alaska/Yakutat commercial winter troll fishery will open at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 11.

The fishery will continue through March 15, 2023, or until a total of 45,000 non-Alaska hatchery-produced Chinook salmon are harvested.

F/V Drill Conductor

Training in Sitka

The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will offer a fishing vessel drill conductor class 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 7 at NSRAA, 1308 Sawmill Creek Road.

The cost for the class is $125 for commercial fishermen and $175 for all others. Register online at www.amsea.org or call (907) 747-3287.

It meets the U.S. Coast Guard training requirements for drill conductors on commercial fishing vessels.

Participants can gain hands-on training with marine safety equipment and learn best practices for surviving emergencies at sea. AMSEA is offering this class at a reduced cost to commercial fishermen with support from the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, and AMSEA members.