Support Local Business
Dear Editor: During this very tricky time of lockdown, sheltering in place, and social distancing, we still need many things to sustain our lives – physically, mentally, emotionally, including groceries, books, healthy food and activity items. It is the perfect time to SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES and FISHERMEN, who have created very easy ways to order, pay, and get item(s) delivered to your home or available through curbside pick-up.
For example, when you are ready for a break from cooking, it’s very easy to call a local restaurant, order, pay and have it delivered! Many of our restaurants are open and ready to serve you!
Another good example of shopping locally is supporting our local fishermen. Our local community supported fisheries (CSF) program Alaskans Own, which is run by the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA), is a wonderful source of locally caught, ready to cook and eat seafood. Alaskans Own provides locally caught frozen fish every month through a subscription fulfillment program. You can sign up on the AlaskansOwn.com website for a half or full share, or make a one time purchase of locally caught seafood through the website. Alaskans Own will deliver or offer curbside pick- up. This is a great time to support your local fishermen.
ALFA members are also donating seafood and delivering frozen, portioned seafood once per week to families who self-identify as in need through the Mutual Aid program. You can donate to support this seafood contribution program through the Alaskans Own website as well.
If you are looking for fresh seafood, please visit North Pacific Seafoods retail store on Katlian Street.
Sitka is a beautiful community – an incredibly positive and a connected network. These challenging times are showing our amazing strengths and also our vulnerabilities. Our local businesses have supported our community for years in the ‘‘good’’ times. Now, during these challenging times, it’s critically important to show our support and give them our business. I encourage you to shop locally and support our local economy!
Toby Campbell
Sitka’s Citizen’s Climate Lobby
Library Options
Dear Editor: Sitka Public Library is closed until May 12, but we are now offering limited checkout options during the closure. We have two different options for checkout, so please read carefully.
Option 1, Surprise Bundles: email library@cityofsitka.org to request a bundle of five surprise items selected by a librarian just for you! Selections will be based on the child’s age (for children’s materials) or a preferred genre (for adult materials) and will be checked out directly to your account. Pickup day and time will be confirmed via email, and you can swing by the library to receive your selections. In your email, please include the full name on your library account, your barcode number (if possible), contact information, and child’s age or adult preferred genre. We will respond as soon as possible.
Option 2, Hold Requests: If you already know which titles you would like, you may give us a call and request specific items over the phone. This option is limited to three items per week. Just give us a call at 747-4020 Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and we will walk you through the process. All items will be available to pick up on the next business day between noon and 2 p.m.
Please note that only Sitka Public Library items are available at this time and we are unable to place holds on items from other ALC libraries. All holds must be placed with library staff – you will not be able to place a hold from your account while the library is closed to the public.
The health and safety of our patrons and library staff is very important to us. We are cleaning and disinfecting all library materials as they enter and exit the library, in addition to deep cleaning the building. Please help us by practicing good social distancing when you pick up library items.
If you have questions about either of these options or need some extra help, give us a call at 747-4020 or email us at library@cityofsitka.org. Thank you!
Margot O’Connell for
Sitka Public Library
Outside Workers
Dear Editor: Our local and state governments ordering us to stay home from work while allowing workers from other countries to come here and work is insanity!
If it’s safe enough for 450 people to fly into Sitka from parts unknown and live together, dine together, and work together at the Silver Bay Seafood plant ... then it should be safe enough for our kids to be eating and working together in our schools ... then it should be safe enough for us to sit together in the theater to watch a movie ... then it should be safe enough for us to be eating out in our restaurants, shopping in local businesses, and go back to work!
Clyde Bright, Sitka
