‘Sitka Tells Tales’
Schedules Events
Sitka Tells Tales, the local storytelling series, will return with both a live on-air event and a broadcast of true stories from the vault.
Locally told tales from the pre-COVID-19 event “Picking Up the Pieces: Stories of Turning Corners and Finding What’s Lost’’ will air 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, on KCAW Raven Radio.
“Foot in Mouth: True Stories of Life-Changing, Split-Second Choices and Gaffes” will air 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, hosted by Artchange Inc. and Raven Radio.
For information call 738-2174.
Valentines Bake
Sale on Feb. 13
The American Legion Auxiliary will hold a valentines bake sale 10 a.m. until sold out on Feb. 13 at AC Lakeside Grocery.
A variety of baked goods will be for sale.
16 and Older Can
Register for Vaccine
SEARHC is currently registering all Sitkans age 16 and older for a COVID-10 vaccine.
For more information, or to register, visit covid19.searhc.org. Provide a valid email at registration to receive instructions to schedule an appointment as soon as the vaccine is available.
Food Security
Week Observed
In observance of Food Security Week in Alaska, a free screening and panel discussion about the food system, featuring “Eating Alaska,” is planned 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, via Zoom.
The documentary was released over a decade ago and is still, as one of the event organizers Amy Pettit, executive director Alaska Farmland Trust, said, “incredibly timely and relevant.”
The post-film event will discuss: what policies have changed and whether access to local food has increased. The discussion, led by Ellen Frankenstein, the film’s director, and members of the Alaska Legislature will be about policy, impact and change.
The teleconference is hosted by Alaska Farmland Trust, Alaska Farm Bureau, and the Alaska Farmers Market Association.
To take part, join the Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85398931559?pwd=OFpwb0UzbUxyOGVWd1FFVFJHTGNGUT09.
Expo On Line To Deliver
Education to Fishermen
The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association and the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust will host a mid-winter Fishermen’s EXPO Feb. 22 to provide educational workshops and training to new and experienced local fishermen.
EXPO will be offered virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tools and links to attend the workshops will be provided prior to the event.
Commercial and subsistence fishermen of all gear types can attend free. Interactive classes on bathymetry mapping updates, loan and financing opportunities for fishermen, how to deal with sleep deprivation while fishing, fisheries policy and management updates, Sitka boatyard update, and skipper training for ALFA’s Crewmember Training Program will be presented.
Presenters include Daniel Joram from Nobeltec; Lela Klingert from Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank; Jerry Dzugan from AMSEA; Misty Dorhn, loan officer from the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development; Linda Behnken, executive director of ALFA; and Jeff Farvour, ALFA board member and local fisherman.
Attendees can participate in as many sessions as they wish. Raffle prizes are
available for Southeast Alaska participants who attend sessions. Visit alfafish.org for a full schedule of events and to register. All presentations will provide time for questions.
This 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,” Behnken said.
Visit alfafish.org to register and receive the link and for a full schedule of events. Call Natalie at 907-738-1286 for more information.
Free Conference Slated On
Dealing with Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America will host a free virtual Alzheimer’s educational conference for Alaskans 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, as part of its national Educating America Tour.
The conference, which is free and open to everyone, will allow participants to learn from, and ask questions of, health, caregiving and legal experts. To register, go to www.alzfdn.org/tour.
“Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that can help make any situation easier to navigate, especially something as challenging as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President & CEO. “Connecting families with useful, practical information and support that can help them now and be better prepared for the future is what this conference is all about. Whether Alzheimer’s is affecting your family, you’re a caregiver or just want to learn more, you can participate in this free virtual conference from the comfort of your home or office.”
Sessions will include:
– ‘‘An Overview of Alzheimer’s’’ by Amber Smith, M.D., education specialist with Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska. She will explain the warning signs and how dementia-related memory loss differs from normal aging, offer brain health tips and give resources to assist caregivers. Smith’s work at ARA focuses on supporting family caregivers, training professional providers, and raising public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
– ‘‘Legal Planning for Peace of Mind’’ will be presented by elder law attorney Ilona Bessenyey. ‘‘Having the necessary legal documents in place is extremely vital when a family is confronted with a dementia diagnosis,’’ she said.
Bessenyey will explain powers of attorney, medical directives, wills, and trusts, which are all vital in helping families to plan their long-term care. She will talk about the importance of getting these documents in place before capacity to do so is lost as well as the need to take a team approach to caregiving. Bessenyey is chair of the Alaska Bar Association’s Elder Law Section, Partner in the law firm of Bessenyey & Van Tuyn LLC, and member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
– ‘‘Deciding for One Who Cannot’’ by Gary Powell, executive director of the Caregiver Foundation, in Wahiawa, Hawaii, will discuss how and when to make decisions for someone who is unable to answer for themselves. He will review what is ethical, legal and moral. Powell also will discuss guardianships and the decisions which need to be made from a practical, financial and legal standpoint.
For more information or to register, go to www.alzfdn.org/tour. Those who can’t participate in the virtual conference or have immediate questions about Alzheimer’s disease can connect with licensed social workers seven days a week through AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline by calling 866-232-8484 or web chatting at www.alzfdn.org by clicking the blue-and-white chat icon in the right-hand corner of the page. The web chat feature is available in more than 90 languages.
On Honor Roll
Aidan G. Raffaele and Mattey M. Stroemer of Sitka have been named to the dean’s list at University of Idaho, Vandals.
To qualify, students must maintain at least a 3.5 grade point average while taking a minimum of 12 graded credits for the semester.
