Spring Fishermen’s Expo
To Be Virtual April 4, 5
Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association and the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust are hosting a Spring Virtual Fishermen’s Expo 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 4-5 to provide educational workshops and training to new and experienced local fishermen as well as others with interest in the fishing sector.
Workshops and presentations will be offered in a virtual format.
Commercial and subsistence fishermen of all gear types can attend free and interactive classes and training courses on commercial fishing insurance, management updates on halibut bycatch and and pending salmon bycatch actions, business planning for fishermen, break-even analysis, preparing for your lender, deckhand logbook updates, troller-led oceanography in Southeast Alaska, ALFA’s crew training program and others.
Presenters are Maddie Lightsey with Alaska Boats and Permits, Jess Sarsfield with AgWest Farm Credit, Marc Wheeler with Spruce Root, Sunny Rice and Gabe Dunham with SeaGrant, Linda Behnken and Natalie Sattler with ALFA, Kirk Johanson and Dylan Hopper with SeaMountain insurance and Tyler Hennon with the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Attendees can participate in as many sessions as they are able. Raffle prizes are available for those who attend sessions.
Contact Natalie Sattler at program.director@alfafish.org or 907-738-1286 with any questions. Visit alfafish.org for a full schedule of events and to register. All presentations will provide time for questions and discussion.
The series is part of a push by ALFA and ASFT to provide resources and educational opportunities for fishermen, especially those who are just starting out in the industry.
“Thanks to the support of our sponsors and ALFA’s membership, we are able to offer these workshops free and open to the public,” said ALFA executive director Linda Behnken.
ALFA is an alliance of small-boat commercial fishermen who support sustainable fisheries and thriving coastal communities by involving fishermen in research, advocacy and conservation initiatives.
ASFT is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening fishing communities and marine resources through research, education and economic opportunity.
‘Speaking Grief’
Film to Show
Brave Heart Volunteers will host a viewing of ‘‘Speaking Grief’’ 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at the Pioneers Home Chapel.
The event starts at 6 p.m. with the movie starting at 6:30. Viewers can join BHV for cookies and conversation after the movie.
‘‘Moving away from the idea that grief is a problem that needs to be ‘fixed,’ ‘Speaking Grief’ validates the experience of grievers and guides those wishing to support them,’’ a news release said.
Go to www.braveheartvolunteers.org for more information.
Critical Secondary
Water Treatment
Ribbon Cutting Set
The ribbon cutting celebration and tours of the Critical Secondary Water Treatment Plant are set 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 10, at 4658 Sawmill Creek Road.
The plant location is in the Gary Paxton Industrial Park. Refreshments will be served, and tours will be held from noon to 1 p.m.
4-H Group Plans
Costume-Making
The AK Way of Life 4-H Club will prepare for Sitka Conservation Society’s annual Parade of Species at costume-making sessions throughout April.
Sessions are for youths ages 5-7 3-5 p.m. April 12; ages 8 and older will meet April 19 and 26.
The Parade of Species is April 27. Contact Anna at anna@sitkawild.org for more information or to register.
Parade of Species
Planned April 27
Sitka Conservation Society’s AK Way of Life club annual Parade of Species will be 3 p.m. Thursday, April 27, in downtown Sitka.
Youths of all ages, their families, and other community members, can join in on the event.
Dressing up as a favorite Alaska plant or animal is highly encouraged, the organizers said.
Contact Anna at anna@sitkawild.org for information or to RSVP.
Tidepooling Event
Open to Families
Sitka Conservation Society’s AK Way of Life Club will host a family tidepooling event 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at Halibut Point recreation Area at Magic Island.
The group will learn about the tides and explore tidepools. It is sponsored by the Sheet’ka Family Challenge and is open to youths of all ages and their families. No 4-H registration is required.
E-mail Anna at anna@sitkawild.org for more information.
Sprockets Bike
Club to Meet
Sitka Conservation Society’s Alaska Way of Life club and the Salty Spoke Bike Coop will host a Sprockets event 3:30-5 p.m. Monday, April 10.
Youths ages 7-12 are invited to monthly bike maintenance events and use-related workshops. All skill and experience levels are welcome with and without a bike.
E-mail Emily at emily@sitkawild.org to registration and for information.
Holy Week
Services Set
At St. Michael’s
St. Michael’s Cathedral services and activities for Holy Week, Pascha (Easter), and Bright Week have been set. Services will be held in the Cathedral. Questions may be directed to Father Ishmael at (907)747-8120.
Saturday, April 8: 9:10 a.m. Hours and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom for Lazarus Saturday; the Sisterhood Easter bread sale at ANB Founders Hall begins at noon; 5 p.m. Great Vespers service for Palm Sunday and the blessing of the palm branches.
Sunday, April 9: 9:10 a.m. third and sixth Hours and the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great for Palm Sunday; 4 p.m. The Bridegroom Matins.
Great and Holy Monday, April 10: 9:30 a.m. Presanctified Liturgy of St. Gregory Dialogus of Rome; and 5 p.m. Bridegroom Matins.
Great and Holy Tuesday, April 11: 9:30 a.m. Presanctified Liturgy of St. Gregory; and 5 p.m. Bridegroom Matins.
Great and Holy Wednesday, April 12: 9:30 a.m. Presanctified Liturgy of St. Gregory; and 5 p.m. Bridegroom Matins.
Great and Holy Thursday, April 13: 9:30 a.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great in commemoration of the Mystical Supper; 5 p.m. Matins with the Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels.
Great and Holy Friday, April 14: 9 a.m. The Royal Hours; 2 p.m. Vespers of Great and Holy Friday; 5 p.m. Matins with Lamentations and procession with the Plaschanitsa, or Shroud of Christ, “the burial rite.”
Great and Holy Saturday, April 15: 9:30 a.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great; an Easter bread and bake sale will be at noon in the foyer (narthex) of the cathedral; 11:30 p.m. Nocturns, Procession around the cathedral, Paschal Matins and Divine Liturgy celebrating the Rising of Jesus Christ from the dead, the blessing of the Artos, or Paschal Bread, and blessing of the Easter baskets.
Sunday, April 16: 4 p.m. Vespers for Bright Monday. Additional services for Bright Week will be announced.
Library Pub Quiz
Slated April 20
The Sitka Public Library and Friends of the Library will host a Library Pub Quiz event 6:30 p.m. April 20 at Centennial Hall.
Teams of one to three will compete in three timed rounds with 10 questions each round. It is limited to 15 teams. Questions will be about books, media, libraries, and the Sitka Public Library. Each team will receive a copy of the Sitka Public Library Historic Walking Tour when registering.
No phones are allowed. Teams are encouraged to dress creatively for the competition and have an amusing name, organizers said. Prizes are from $100 on down. Teams should arrive 20 minutes early.
Audience participation segments will be held between rounds. Smart phones are needed to participate. No rules will be in place and cheating is allowed. Prizes will be awarded.
‘‘Have fun with friends and family, impress the community with your smarts and support the Sitka Public Library during its 100th year celebration,’’ said Jeff Budd, an organizer of the event.
It is open to the public. Tickets with a requested donation of $5 may be purchased at Old Harbor Books and the door. To register, call Jeff at (907) 747-4821 or email jbudd3500@gmail.com.
Benefit Dinner,
Raffle on Tap
A fundraising dinner and raffle for Mt. Edgecumbe Blacktail chapter is slated 5-7 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at the Sitka Elks Lodge.
Burgers will be available for $12. The evening will include raffles and auctions to help raise money for mule deer and blacktail deer habitat conservation.
Those with questions can contact Marshall Johnson at marshall@muledeer.org. Events at the Elks Lodge are for members and invited guests.
Ducks Unlimited
Banquet May 7
A fundraising banquet for Ducks Unlimited will be held 5 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at the Elks Lodge.
The prime rib dinner is $50 per ticket. The event is to raise money for wetlands conservation. Raffles are planned and auction items will be offered.
All events at the Elks Lodge are for members and invited guests. Tickets are on sale at Orion Sporting Goods and online at https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Sitka-Du-Banquet-65617
Harp Sing Set
All are invited to learn to sing four-part a capella harmony in the Sacred Harp (shape note) tradition 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 9, at the Pioneers Home chapel.
Beginners and listeners are welcome. Singing is from the red Denson and Christmas books. Loaner books are available. Masks are optional. For information call Sara at 747-2915.
Spring Gear
Swap April 22
The Sitka Sportsman’s Association will hold its Spring Gun and Outdoor Gear Swap 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 22, at 5211 Halibut Point Road.
Seller tables rent for $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Both individuals and businesses can sell at the event. Only sellers may arrive at 8 a.m. to set up.
Sellers must reserve a table by contacting Chad at (907) 623-0908 or email premiertrainingak@gmail.com.
School Board
Meets April 5
The Sitka School District School Board will meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, at Centennial Hall.
The meeting will be preceded by student and staff recognitions at 5:45 p.m.
The full agenda can be found by following the link on the district’s website: www.sitkaschools.org. Those who wish to submit written public comment on an agenda item must submit it by 5 p.m. April 5, to the district office at 300 Kostrometinoff Street, or by emailing: info@sitkaschools.org.
Spring Art Walk
Slated April 14
The Greater Sitka Arts Council and Island Artists’ Cooperative will host the Spring Art Walk 5-7 p.m. April 14.
More than 10 merchants on Lincoln Street will host artists and musicians at their locations. Passports will be available for participants. Visit all participating venues and receive a stamp, then turn in the completed passports at the Island Artists Cooperative to be eligible for door prizes.
For information contact Bobbi at Greater Sitka Arts Council at 907-738-0166 or email Thinkartthinksitka@gmail.com.
