Chamber Maps Places
To See Holiday Lights
The Chamber of Commerce’s Share Your Spark Holiday Lights Map is now live. More than 50 locations have decorated for the holidays.
‘‘Grab a cup of hot cocoa, turn on some Christmas music, and enjoy the lights,’’ the Chamber said.
The list of addresses are available at an interactive map online at https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1yT0537p5RajFF6Af0Kl6lUnJKOQqSrZh&ll=57.07679144391699%2C-135.40235168968505&z=13.
The list includes: 1815 Edgecumbe Dr., 116 Anna Dr., 1302 Sawmill Creek Rd., 313 Eliason Loop, 696 Indian River Rd., 311 Wachusetts St., 312 Charteris St., 204 Peterson Ave., 131 Shelikof Way, 204 Peterson Ave., 110 Sand Dollar Dr., 115 Somer Dr., 106 Patterson Way, 120 Patterson Way, 356 Kaagwaantaan St., 503 De Groff St., Fisheye Cafe, Harry Race Pharmacy, Longliner Sitka, Sitka Pioneers’ Home, Totem Square, Greater Sitka Chamber-Commerce.
Also, 1707 Edgecumbe Dr., 1804 Edgecumbe Dr., 1810 Edgecumbe Dr., 1703 Edgecumbe Dr., 110 Herb Didrickson St., 331 Wortman Loop, 333 Wortman Loop, 335 Wortman Loop, 339 Wortman Loop, 701 Lake St., 722 Lake St., 612 Lake St., 1721 Edgecumbe Dr., 104 Chirikov Dr., 617 De Groff St., 105 Rudolph Walton Circle, 103 Rudolph Walton Circle, Crescent Harbor, 604 Halibut Point Rd.
Also, 211 Cascade Creek Rd., 711 Lincoln St., 1402 Johnston St., 711 Sirstad St., 712 Sirstad St., 4750 Halibut Point Rd., 236 Lakeview Dr., 1801 Sawmill Creek Rd., 1503 Davidoff St., 700 Park St., 611 Biorka St., 104 Lake St., Etolin Street, 2409 Sawmill Creek Rd., 107 Patterson Way, 3704 Halibut Point Rd., 3804 Halibut Point Rd., 2303 Halibut Point Rd., 1970 Halibut Point Rd., 1212 Halibut Point Rd. and 800 Halibut Point Rd.
‘‘Thank you to all who decorated and sent in their addresses for the Holiday Lights Map this season. We will continue to promote #ShopSitkaLocal and #SitkaSpark throughout December,’’ the Chamber said.
Prize drawings will be on Dec. 31.
The Chamber expressed appreciation to Share your Spark sponsors AC Lakeside, GCI, Odom Corporation/Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, Sea Mart Quality Foods, Sitka Bulk Goods, and Sitka Fishing Excursions for donating prizes.
More information is available at https://sitkachamber.com/.
Letters to Santa:
Dear Santa: I love you. I been good this year. I want gifts. Santa, I want a candy cane and window clings. I want more gifts than you tell me. Good luck.
Maisie Ruth DeBell, age 3
Climate Connection: Feeling Change: December
By John Lewis
These are dark times. Dark in the daytime. Dark with emptiness as we live without our usual activities. Dark in mood as many spend the holidays apart from loved ones. Living in the dark, not knowing the exact way to move forward, where the path lies.
In this darkness, we’re left to be with ourselves in new ways. Getting to know who we are beyond what we can get or where we go, because as long as we are what we get and where we go, we will continue to consume, no matter the cost. Sensing that if only we do this or get that, then we will feel OK.
Darkness allows us to glimpse a terrifying possibility that part of what we seek may not be outside of us but within. In the dark we can recover something deeper to who we are, be OK with ourselves for who we are. Not once we get something or go somewhere or change something. Rather, right here, right now.
But this doesn’t mean a retreat into ourselves. We need basic safety and security to feel OK, and far too many don’t have that, because of early experiences or where they come from. It’s hard to feel OK when others are suffering around us and we turn away, or create some reason why they deserve their pain. This comes at a cost to ourselves; something deep in us is harmed when we deceive ourselves in these ways.
And there is so much anger and fear floating around right now. In the dark we look for those who we can hold responsible. But much of this fear and anxiety today seem to result from a simple fact; we’re on a perilous path. How we’re living is harming our surroundings which in turn harms us. The choices we’re making now are making a dark future dimmer by the day.
But light does seem to find a way. That daytime sky is getting ever so slightly brighter, and community members are being vaccinated, offering some hope that there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel for this pandemic.
We’re still in the dark about exactly what the way forward on the climate will look like. But we must do what we can here and now. This may be direct action to reduce our own energy use by getting and going less, or building more safety and securities in our communities so that we’re more resilient as change continues to happen.
For when we care for each other, we become a little lighter. We dispel a little more of that darkness. And the path forward becomes a little clearer. But maybe even more importantly, we gain trust in each other. And with trust we can feel our way forward, finding a path together, no matter the darkness.
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John Lewis is a behavioral health professional and a member of the Sitka Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Holiday Hours
Given by City
The city has announced its holiday schedule of scrapyard and transfer station hours, and garbage pickup.
The transfer station, 205 Jarvis Street, will be closed Friday, Dec. 25, and re-open on Saturday, Dec. 26, and closed Friday, Jan. 1, and re-open on Saturday, Jan. 2.
The Gary Paxton Industrial Park Scrapyard, 4655 Sawmill Creek Road, will be closed Friday, Dec. 25, and re-open on Tuesday, Dec. 29. It also will close Friday, Jan. 1, and re-open on Tuesday, Jan. 5.
Garbage service scheduled for Friday, Dec. 25, will be picked up on Thursday, Dec. 24. Pickup scheduled for Friday, Jan. 1, is now to be picked up on Thursday, Dec. 31.
Those with questions, can call Public Works at 747-1804.
Virtual Artwalk On Tap
Celebrate Sitka’s Virtual Artwalk, sponsored by the Greater Sitka Arts Council, is being held now through Dec. 25.
The event is being held online this year in response to COVID-19 concerns. Galleries, stores and restaurants will have featured artists and musicians. Specials and discounts and prizes for answering an online quiz are planned.
‘‘It may not be as much fun as walking the walk, but let’s keep Sitka as safe as possible by shopping online, but locally,’’ organizers said.
Go to Sitkaartscouncil.org to shop.
Some of the features of the event are: Island Artists Gallery will feature a changing slate of artists and specials, and music by J Bradley; The Beak Restaurant has meals for takeout and music by Mark Sixbey and Billy Baines; Harry Race Pharmacy, Lego window display by Tyler Eddy and music by the Sitka Blues Band; Old Harbor Books, featured paintings by James Poulson; Galanin & Klein has a video of the store; the Sitka Lighthouse Store has a display of its lighthouse installation featuring various Sitka artists, and music by Hank Moore; Raven’s Hook will show bookbinding by Christina Van Den Hoogan; The Cellar will present the art of Mary Goddard; Abby’s Reflections features Kathi Goddard as the special artist; and Visit Sitka.
Many Sitka artists also are being featured at the Juneau Public Market, which has gone virtual this year.
Services Listed
At St. Peter’s
St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church will hold special virtual services this week in observance of the Christmas holiday.
On Dec. 24, at 6 p.m., will be a Christmas Eve service to include the tradition of highlighting many special musical offerings, and t he service ending with candle-lighting and ‘‘Silent Night.’’
Christmas Day services will begin at 10 a.m.
At 10 a.m. on Dec. 27 will be the Christmas Holy Communion service, with drive-up communion after the service between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
All services continue to be held via Zoom. For questions, and service log-in information, email the church at stpetersbytheseak@gmail.com.
Lutherans Plan
Christmas Worship
Sitka Lutheran Church will have both in-person worship and worship via Zoom during the Christmas season.
To receive an invitation to a worship via Zoom, or more information, text or call 907-752-0123.
Candlelight Christmas Eve at 3 p.m. on Dec. 24 will be at Pioneer Park. It will include prayer, scripture, singing and hot chocolate.
Those attending are asked to wear a face covering, and take a candle and their own beverage. Physical distancing will be practiced, the church said.
The Christmas Eve service will be 6 p.m. Dec. 24 via Zoom for those who are unable to attend the 3 p.m. gathering. It will include prayer, scripture and singing.
On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, will be ‘‘Worship in the Home.’’ Copies of the worship bulletin are available from the church. Call or text (907) 752-0123.
On Dec. 27 will be the first Sunday in Christmas event at 10 a.m. at Pioneer Park. It will include lessons and carols led by laity.
Methodists Plan
Christmas Services
Sitka Methodist Church’s Silent Night nativity set display will be open for a walk-through 6-7 p.m. tonight.
The Christmas Candlelight Service, 5 p.m. Dec. 24 will be led by the Rev. Dave Elsensohn at www.facebook.com/umcsitka.com.
First Sunday After Christmas Services are 10 a.m. Dec. 27 at www.facebook.com/umcsitka.com.
A Watchnight Service is scheduled 5 p.m. Dec. 31 over Zoom.
For queries, call or text Pastor Grace Nabua, (907) 419-3112, or by email at sitkaumc@gmail.com or benniegrace@yahoo.com.
Craft Program
For Preschoolers
Sitka Public Library will offer a weekly Grab&Go bag program in January with free crafts for preschoolers. Bags will be ready on Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30, and participants can pick them up anytime during the week. Craft projects are best for ages 2 to 5. Registration is required and space is limited. Call 747-4020 to register beginning Dec. 27.
New Year Grind
Presenters Sought
The Sitka Monthly Grind is seeking presenters for the Jan. 23 Happy New Year Grind, which will be shown virtually via YouTube.
The philosophy of Sitka Monthly Grind is ‘‘family oriented, nonpolitical, and affordable.’’
Those who want to participate and submit a video for the show can contact Jeanne at sitkajean@gmail.com or 738-8083 for instructions by Jan. 9. Other questions can be directed to Jeff at 747-4821.
