Building Bridge
To Kindergarten
The Association of Alaska School Boards and the Sitka School District invite parents, families, and the community to a conversation Tuesday, Dec. 13, about bridging gaps in preschool, home and kindergarten are learning to empower students, honor local and family knowledge, and strengthen Haa Latseení.
A meal will be provided at 5:30 p.m. followed by the conversation at the Keet Gooshi Heen multipurpose room. Childcare will be provided.
‘‘Together we will envision supports for early childhood learning and lay the foundation for strong partnerships,’’ organizers said.
Life Celebration
Set Saturday for
Deanna Moore
A celebration of the life of Deanna Moore, 51, will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi.
Those with questions can call Jay Stilwell at (206) 856-0984.
Author Crestodina
To Discuss Book
Illustrator and author Tom Crestodina will present his new book, “Working Boats,” 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at Old Harbor Books.
It is a free, kid-friendly event.
Tree-Lighting Set
On Lincoln Street
The Chamber of Commerce will host Light-Up Lincoln Street 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Totem Square.
The tree-lighting ceremony will include hot cocoa, caroling and guest speakers.
Legion Sets Kids
Christmas Party
The American Legion will host its annual kids Christmas party 1-3 p.m. Dec. 18 at the hall. Parents are reminded to register their children, ages 0-12 years by stopping by the hall or calling (907) 747-8629.
Training Set For
Volunteer EMTs
The Sitka Fire Department EMS Division is offering training for adults who want to become volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians.
No experience is necessary. The class runs Jan. 21 through April 8. Sessions are scheduled 6-10 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. Attendance at the entire course is required.
Students must meet department membership standards, including a background check, and be physically fit enough to complete the tasks necessary for the position. Students must have a high school diploma or equivalent and be 18 years old. Successful students are eligible for Alaska EMT-1 certification.
The Sitka Fire Department is continually recruiting volunteers; the class is the first step to working on the ambulance. For information, call the fire hall at 747-3233.
Holiday Bazaar,
Rummage Sale
At Pioneers Home
Sitka Pioneers Home Resident Council’s Christmas Bazaar was held this afternoon and will be open again 9 a.m.-noon Saturday in the main lounge.
Items for sale will include resident-made ceramics and baked goods as well as knit ware and knick-knacks. Proceeds benefit the residents’ recreation fund.
At the same time, the residents council also will host a rummage sale in the recreation kitchen, which is located in the basement, near Lincoln Street. Plenty of miscellaneous items will be available. The proceeds also benefit the residents’ recreation fund.
SCT Announces
Spring Musical,
Auditions Dec. 18-19
GSAC Sitka Community Theater announces the spring production will be the musical “Amelie” and be performed March 24-26 at Sitka Performing Arts Center.
Auditions are set for Dec. 18 and 19 at Yaw Chapel, and signups will start Dec. 4. Builders, carpenters, decorative painters and handy people who like to work backstage are also needed. Rehearsals start in January. Everyone is welcome to audition, regardless of skill level and singing ability. Featured, supporting and ensemble roles are available for ages 16 and up.
The musical is based on the 2001 film of the same name, and was nominated for three Olivier Awards (the British equivalent to the Tonys). In the story, Amelie follows the journey of the inquisitive and shy Amélie who turns the streets of Montmartre into a world of her own imagining, while secretly orchestrating moments of joy for those around her. After discovering a mysterious photo album and meeting a handsome stranger, Amélie realizes that helping others is easier than participating in a romantic story of her own.
Those with questions or interest in joining the tech and build crew may call 907-738-0602. Updates and signup info will be at sitkacommunitytheater on Instagram and GSAC Sitka Community Theater on Facebook.
Post Office Sets
Saturday Hours
Sitka Post Office has posted Saturday holiday hours.
Retail hours on Dec. 3, 10 and 17 will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The post office is reminding residents to keep their porch lights on in the winter months for parcel delivery, and to check their mail often.
Boat Parade
Days Announced
Boat parade organizers have announced the dates of this year’s event. The parade will move north Sunday, Dec. 18, and south Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Boats will line up in the channel at 5 p.m. VHF Channel 68 will be monitored, and the parade will start once all the vessels are in the channel.
The grand prize for best in show is $1,500 donated by Caldwell Properties. Donations are being sought for second- and third-place winners.
For further information, contact Ahna Hanson at 907-738-0260.
Unitarians Gather
Rich McClear will lead a discussion on fundamentalism, a modern response to an ancient mythology, Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall, 408 Marine Street.
Gathering is at 10:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:45 a.m. Soup and bread follow the program at noon. All are invited to attend.
Childcare Providers
Needed to Substitute
The Childcare Now health summit initiative is developing a list of qualified childcare associates to substitute in licensed programs.
Call Annette Evans at 406-579-1936 if interested in substituting. Substitutes must hold at least 12 college credits in early childhood. For information email sagelk@sitkaschools.org. Incentives for participating in this sub pool.
Wonderland at
Public Library
Sitka Public Library will host its annual Reading Wonderland 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 10.
The public is invited to get free, nearly new books for children and young adults to give away as gifts this holiday season.
For information call Maite at 907-747-4022 or send an e-mail to maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org
Climate Connection:
Lowering Cost of Living in Sitka
Sustainability in Sitka requires becoming self-reliant as a community. As we experience global increases in the cost of fossil fuels, we can save money and meet sustainability goals by converting fossil fuel heat for our homes to electric heat pumps. Our hydropower is local and carbon-free. However, we do not have enough hydropower in dry years to heat all of our buildings and supply electric vehicles. We can extend our hydropower by converting electric resistance heat to heat pumps, which are three times more efficient and hence cheaper to run.
Skepticism about the adequacy of heat pumps in cold climates derives from outdated technology until 10 years ago. Now heat pumps with variable speed inverter-driven compressor technology are able to heat homes down to ambient temperatures of minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit. The federal Inflation Reduction Act is motivating replacement of fossil fuel heat with electric heat pumps by offering rebates for low and moderate income homes of up to $7,500. Tax credits up to $1,200/year are also available for the next 10 years. Other options for financing this energy transition are the Sitka Carbon Offset Fund and weatherization funds that will be available in the future from the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. One Sitka heat pump installer offers financing from a green bank. With sufficient public interest, we might be able to get our municipality to enable on-bill financing of heat pumps so that the cost of efficient heating electrification can be paid back over 5 or 6 years with low-interest loans that are financed with fossil fuel energy savings.
About 100 cities and 15 states with commitments to lowering their carbon footprints are enacting policies to encourage or require electrification of homes, workplaces, schools, and government buildings. For example, Washington state and California are requiring all new construction to use electricity for heating, hot water, and cooking. Montgomery County, Maryland, has just become the first East Coast entity to prohibit gas hookups for heating, water, and cooking in new construction. Such government policy saves utility expense, lowers global heating from fossil fuel combustion, improves air quality, and increases local employment. Ithaca, New York, plans to replace all fossil fuel heating in old buildings by 2030 with a public-private financing partnership. In Sitka, widespread concern about Sitka’s cost of living warrants exploration of municipal policy to lower heating expenses with our hydropower, which also protects us from fossil fuel supply vulnerability.
The recent global climate meeting in Egypt did not address meeting the international goal of keeping warming to less than 1.5 degrees Centigrade. This failure increases the onus on local governments to protect humanity from the disasters and damages that are related to climate change.
–Kay Kreiss, Transition Sitka
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, Dec. 11, 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.
