Advocacy Cafes
End for Year
Advocacy cafes at the Beak restaurant have ended for the year.
‘‘We want to thank those who attended and remind you that the Town Hall will have advocacy efforts as well for anyone who missed out,’’ organizers said in a release today.
Alcohol Awareness
Month Observed
During April
April is being observed as Alcohol Awareness Month with the theme “Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow.”
It is a month aimed at educating and raising awareness of underage drinking, alcohol abuse, treatment, and other related issues, a press release from Sitka Counseling said.
Cited statistics include:
–Worldwide, 3 million deaths every year result from harmful use of alcohol, this represent 5.3 percent of all deaths. (Source: World Health Organization – September 2018)
–Alcohol consumption causes death and disability relatively early in life. In the age group 20-39 years approximately 13.5% of the total deaths are alcohol-attributable. (Source: World Health Organization – September 2018)
–The 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that among high school students: in one month 30% drank some amount of alcohol, 14% binge drank, 6% drove after drinking alcohol, and 17% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol. (Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
–Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, research shows that the earlier a person begins to use drugs, the more likely he or she is to develop serious problems. This may be due to the harmful effect that drugs can have on the developing brain. This critical part of a teen’s brain is still a work in progress and puts them at increased risk for making poor decisions, such as trying drugs or continuing to take them. (Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
Testimony Taken
At Sitka LIO
The Senate Finance Committee will take public testimony on the state operating budget 2:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, April 12. Sign up to testify starting at 2 p.m. at the Sitka Legislative Information Office in Totem Square.
The testimony time limit is set at two minutes. Written comments can be sent to Finance.Committee@akleg.gov. Call Sitka LIO at 747-6276 for information on how to testify.
Celebration of Life
For Pat Burnett Set
A celebration of the life of Pat Burnett will be held noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Halibut Point Recreation Area main shelter.
Those attending are welcome to take a potluck dish to share.
Pat died of cancer July 12, 2018. He was 62.
Farewell Slated for
Joe & Linda Mudry
A farewell open house for longtime Sitkans Joe and Linda Mudry will be held 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at 4505 Halibut Point Road.
The Mudrys, who have lived in Sitka for 25 years, are moving to Portland, Oregon. Those wishing more information may call Trish at 966-2102.
Tribal Council
To Meet April 17
The Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council will meet 6:30 p.m. April 17 at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi.
Call 747-7317 with questions.
Book Sale at
White E Shop
The White Elephant Shop will have a $1-a-bag book sale in both stores starting noon Thursday.
Books in the Alaska section are not included.
This Week in Girls on the Run
By Sitkans Against Family Violence
Girls on the Run is an empowerment-based program for girls in third-fifth grade, currently in its 11th season in Sitka! GOTR is more than an after-school activity; it is a program designed to bring girls together with strength and resilience and prepare them for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.
Recently in GOTR participants have been learning about cooperation, as lessons progress from focus on knowing oneself to positively engaging with peers. Practices include activities that reinforce the importance of cooperation, and girls are given opportunities to apply cooperative skills to different situations. Here’s what participants said about cooperation:
–“A group can cooperate together to reach its goal by talking together and working out a plan.”
–“If you choose not to cooperate you might not understand the person’s idea because you’re not listening.”
–“If you choose to cooperate you have an easier time knowing what to do and (finding) the right answer.”
Throughout this season, GOTR will provide the Sitka community with updates from the program. We also hope to give mentors and parents an opportunity to pass on skills from GOTR to the youths in your life! Here are some conversation starters for talking with kids about responding to peer pressure.
*What is cooperation? Are there actions we can choose that build more cooperative groups? (Listening, being helpful, having a positive attitude, etc)
*How do you and I cooperate every day?
*Let’s both name an area where we could cooperate a little bit better.
Save the date for the final GOTR community 5K Fun Run on Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m.! Stay tuned for more details. Girls on the Run is brought to you in Sitka by Sitkans Against Family Violence. Call 747-3493 for more information.
Exchange Students
To Lead Program
The public is invited to join Sitka’s exchange students for a night of discussion about how different cultures and countries think about the Earth, deal with environmental challenges, and engage in sustainability.
‘‘Community Conversations: Earth Day Around the World’’ will be 6:30 p.m. April 18 at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi.
Students from India, Thailand, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bolivia will share thoughts and stories on their relationship to the environment and how they have changed after spending a year in Alaska. Vanessa Brady, a member of the Kik.sadi clan, will provide a local perspective on land stewardship.
Tea and coffee will be provided and attendees are being encouraged to take a dessert, as well as their own plates and cups to reduce waste. Call Katie at 747-7509 for information.
