Quilt Auction
Slated March 5
The Ocean Wave Quilters Guild will hold its 21st annual scholarship auction 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at the Centennial Hall Raven Room.
Featured at the auction will be small quilts and sewing-related items, both new and vintage.
Many of the mini-quilts can be seen in the window and inside at Abby’s Reflection. All money raised goes to support students attending Sitka Fine Arts Camp and scholarship applicants from Mt. Edgecumbe, Pacific and Sitka high schools.
Light refreshments will be served. All are invited. Call Nancy Jo at 738-6059 for more information.
Sitka Author’s
Book to be Read
To raise awareness of rare diseases, Connie LaPerriere will read from her husband Marcel’s book, ‘‘Just Another Adventure, Living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)’’ 6-7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Sitka Public Library.
The talk is in observance of Rare Disease Day, Feb. 28.
Marcel, through Connie, will talk about what it’s like to lose his ability to talk and walk. The couple also will talk about three other rare disorders that Marcel has experienced in the last five years.
National Guard
Explorers to Meet
The Alaska Army National Guard Explorers will meet 6-9 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Sitka Armory, 1508 Sawmill Creek Road.
High school students ages 14-20 years interested in learning leadership and skills such as land navigation, survival, combatives, camouflage and medical should attend. For information contact SFC Justin Mullenix at 907-290-4306 or Justin.mullenix2.mil@mail.mil.
Outer Space Night
At Public Library
Children of all ages can explore the solar system and beyond on a journey out of this world at Outer Space Family Science Night 5 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at Sitka Public Library.
The program is hosted by the NASA Space Science Education Consortium. Hands-on learning, including making a pocket solar system and discovering the search for new planets, will be part of the program.
The event is free but small children must be accompanied by an adult. For information call 747-8708.
UAS to Host
Free Workshop
UAS-Sitka Campus will host a free workshop on achieving ‘‘Work-Life Balance’’ 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27. The workshop is part of UAS Sitka’s Career Development Series, and is open to the public.
Participants can learn about stress management, self-care and balancing work and other priorities from community experts. Doug Osborne from Sitka Community Hospital, Tonia Puletau-Lang from Transformational Living, and yoga instructor Sarah Lawrie will each lead sections of the one-hour session. Snacks and beverages will be provided. For information, contact Angela Hilsman at aehilsman@alaska.edu, or call 747-7797.
Sitka Rendezvous to Explore
Outdoor Recreation Industry
Sitka outdoor recreation industry businesses, supporting organizations, public land managers and civic leaders are invited to a meeting next month aimed at sharing thoughts on the effects of the outdoor recreation economic sector and exploring opportunities for working together to strengthen the local economy.
The Sitka Confluence Rendezvous, second in a statewide series of community-based outdoor recreation economic sector meetings, will be 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Baranof Island Brewing Co. The meeting is free and open to the public. It falls on one of the brewery’s community nights, so proceeds from any beer sales will benefit Sitka Trail Works.
Confluence founder Lee Hart said in a news release that the Rendezvous meeting series is a chance to raise awareness about outdoor recreation economic outcomes. The goal is to understand industry challenges and opportunities facing outdoor recreation industry stakeholders.
In September 2018, the federal government released the first economic analysis of the outdoor recreation sector, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told Congress.
The numbers ‘‘show that the outdoor recreation industry generated $412 billion in revenue in 2016, accounting for 2.2 percent of U.S. GDP in 2016. That is a very, very large number. To put this industry in perspective, it is a bigger contributor to GDP than the chemical manufacturing sector at 2.1 percent, and all the nation’s utilities, at 1.5 percent of GDP.”
Since Confluence launched in 2016, Hart said progress has been made in gathering the data necessary to better quantify the state’s outdoor recreation economy and opportunities. She cited some key studies and activities.
– Eight community-based trails organizations, including Sitka Trail Works, pooled resources to work on developing an assessment and case study of the economic benefits of trails. The report is expected to be completed later this spring.
– The University of Alaska’s Business Enterprise Institute released a study of Alaska’s outdoor products manufacturers at last year’s Confluence conference and is finalizing a report on the broader industry as part of its Emerging Sector series.
Visit the website, ConfluenceAK for more information about Confluence, the Rendezvous meeting calendar.
Group Readies for
Sitka Salmon Derby
Sitka Sportsman’s Association is getting ready for the 64th annual Sitka Salmon Derby, to be held on Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26-27, and the following weekend, June 1-2.
SSA said the longtime annual event draws fishing friends and family from near and far to enjoy fun times on the water while searching for that prize-winning king.
Prize solicitation letters are being mailed to local businesses, organizations and individuals for listing in the Derby rules brochures which will be released the first part of May.
So far Sitka’s participating donor list includes: Alaska Airlines, Alaska Raptor Center, ALPS Federal Credit Union, American Legion Post 13, Arrowhead Transfer, Clayton Construction, Ernie’s Bar, First Bank of Alaska, Fly Fish Sitka, Foreign Automotive, Highliner, Latte Landing, LFS Marine Supplies, Ludvig’s Bistro, Mean Queen, Orion Sporting Goods, Sitka Elks Lodge 1662, Sitka Ready-Mix and Rental Equipment, Sitka Tours, Venneberg Insurance and Wild Strawberry Lodge.
Call SSA Derby Chairman and President John McCrehin at 738-8636 for more information. Go to Sitka Salmon Derby or Sitka Sportsman’s Association on Facebook for details.
Cultural Resource
Panel to Meet
Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Cultural Resources Committee will meet noon Monday, Feb. 25, at the Southeast Alaska Career Center, 205 Baranof Street. The group meets the last Monday of each month.
The panel encourages participation from Tribal elders, leaders and tribal citizens to participate in meetings. The committee gathers to discuss and/or vote on upcoming cultural events, handles requests from organizations requesting cultural knowledge, historic preservation, clan history and at.oow.
To attend, or ask a question, contact Lillian Young at 966-1356. An RSVP is appreciated as lunch will be served.
ANB, ANS Install
Officers on Friday
Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1 and Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4 will hold an installation of new officers ceremony 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at the Pioneers Home Chapel.
All are welcome, and refreshments will be served. ANB and ANS members are asked to dress appropriately, and bring food to share. Those with questions may call Karen at 747-7803.
F/V Drill Conductor
Training in Sitka
The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will offer a Fishing Vessel Drill Conductor class 8 a.m.-7 p.m. March 5 at Centennial Hall.
The class is free to commercial fishermen with support from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and AMSEA members.
The cost is $185.50, including sales tax, for all others. Interested mariners may register online at www.amsea.org or call 747-3287.
This class is an opportunity to gain hands-on training with marine safety equipment and learn best practices for surviving emergencies at sea, AMSEA said. Instructor Emma Edson will cover cold-water survival skills; EPIRBs, signal flares, and mayday calls; man-overboard recovery; firefighting; flooding and damage control; dewatering pumps, immersion suits and PFDs, helicopter rescue, life rafts, abandon ship procedures, and emergency drills. The workshops meet the U.S. Coast Guard training requirements for drill conductors on commercial fishing vessels.
Alaska Delegation Pushes
Young Fishermen’s Measure
Alaska’s U.S. delegation – Rep. Don Young, Sen. Dan Sullivan, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski – are spearheading a bipartisan effort in Congress to enact the Young Fishermen’s Development Act (H.R.1240, S.496). The legislation would benefit Alaska’s fishing communities by establishing the first national program to support young men and women entering the commercial fishing industry.
The strong show of bipartisan support early in the 116th Congress indicates positive momentum for the initiative, which is backed by the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, a member of the national Fishing Communities Coalition, a press release from ALFA said.
“Ensuring new generations of Alaskans fill the ranks is vitally important to our fishing economy, which employs more in our state than any other industry,” Sullivan said. “I’m excited to again sponsor legislation that will help lower the high barriers to entry with training opportunities, new grants, and an apprenticeship program that will connect seasoned fishermen with determined newcomers.”
“Young commercial fishermen are facing bigger challenges than ever before – new barriers to entry, limited training opportunities, and a lack of support,” Young said. “Fishing is important not only to Alaskan culture but is central to our rich history. Our legislation is about supporting the livelihoods of fishing communities across the nation by making the next generation aware of the opportunities available in the commercial fishing industry. I’m proud to stand with our young fishermen by introducing this important piece of legislation.”
“Young fishermen face enormous challenges, yet there is currently no federal program to support education and training for the next generation of commercial fishermen,” said Linda Behnken, executive director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, a member of the FCC. “To excel, the next generation of commercial fishermen must develop a broad range of skills. They must be proficient in navigation, business management, hydraulics, diesel mechanics, fisheries management - and, of course, they need to know how to catch fish! Alaska’s fishing communities are grateful to Congressman Young for introducing and shepherding this important legislation through the House and to Senators Sullivan and Murkowski for their leadership in the Senate.”
Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Senate bill; Representatives Don Young (R-AK), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jared Golden (D-ME), and Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa) co-authored the House bill.
First introduced in 2017, the Young Fishermen’s Development Act (YFDA) is modeled after the USDA’s successful Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, which is credited with preparing hundreds of young farmers and ranchers for rewarding careers. Young fishermen representing coalition members from every U.S. coast have traveled to Washington, D.C., to urge legislators to support the initiative, ALFA said.
Fishers Offered
Injury Prevention
Class March 5
Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will conduct a free class in ergonomic injury prevention for commercial fishermen 6-7 p.m. March 5 at Sitka Public Library. Fishermen can register online at www.asea.org or call 747-3287.
Ergonomic principles can help fishermen avoid common musculoskeletal injuries that can result in lost fishing time, expensive physical therapy or surgery, and a shortened fishing career, AMSEA said in a press release.
Instructor Jerry Dzugan will cover the musculoskeletal system; injury risk factors; injury prevention; repetitive motion; cold temperature; safer techniques for lifting, pushing, and pulling; workstation and tool design; and stretches and exercises to help prevent injuries.
The class is free to commercial fishermen with support from the DCCED, NIOSH and AMSEA members.
