Vaccination Options
Given to Sitkans
Sitka residents have two options to register for COVID-19 vaccines.
The State of Alaska, in collaboration with Harry Race Pharmacy, is distributing vaccines based on CDC and state guidelines. Registration is open for individuals age 65 and older; medically vulnerable individuals aged 16-64; and all essential workers.
Clinics have been scheduled for Feb. 10 and 17 to receive the vaccination. To schedule an appointment for Feb. 10, go to https://cw2-alaska-production.herokuapp.com/client/registration?clinic_id=553. For an appointment on Feb. 17, go to https://cw2-alaska-production.herokuapp.com/client/registration?clinic_id=554.
A vaccine also is available through SEARHC. Registration is available to all residents at https://covid19.searhc.org/. The SEARHC COVID-19 sequencing follows guidelines from the CDC and the State of Alaska. Sequencing groups will be announced through public service announcements. As sequencing groups open, eligible individuals will receive an email from SEARHC to schedule a vaccine appointment. Currently, SEARHC is scheduling those age 50 and older; medically vulnerable individuals aged 16-49; and all essential workers.
New clinics will be added as vaccine arrives.
First Lady Award
Nominations Open
Alaska First Lady Rose Dunleavy has opened the nomination period for the 2021 First Lady’s Volunteer Awards.
The annual awards, started in 1975 by First Lady Bella Hammond, recognize and pay tribute to exceptional volunteers who have made an extraordinary contribution within communities and state. The 2021 nomination period is Feb. 1-April 30.
Award recipients will be announced in August. Nominations can be submitted online at https://gov.alaska.gov/home/first-lady-volunteer-awards/.
Food Business
Ideas Sought for
Innovation Contest
The Sitka Local Foods Network is hosting its fourth annual Sitka Food Business Innovation Contest in an effort to spark local food entrepreneurs to help make more local food available to residents and visitors.
The contest will provide two $1,500 kicker prizes — one for established food businesses and one for start-up businesses (no older than two years) — to help Sitka entrepreneurs launch or expand their food businesses.
Food business ideas must be geared toward getting more locally grown, harvested and/or produced food into the Sitka marketplace through sales in grocery stores, the Sitka Food Co-Op, Sitka Farmers Market, restaurants, or individual marketing (such as a community supported agriculture/CSA or community supported fisheries/CSF program).
The entry fee is $25. Participants (business and individual) must complete and submit the contest entry form by 5 p.m. Friday, March 5, by snail mail so it arrives before the deadline to Sitka Local Foods Network, Food Business Innovation Contest Entries, 408-D Marine Street, Sitka, Alaska, 99835, or by email with the Subject Line of “Food Business Innovation Contest Entries” to sitkalocalfoodsnetwork@gmail.com). Submitting a business plan (up to 20 pages) is recommended, but not required.
The entry form can be found at: https://sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.files.wordpress.com/2021/02/sitkafoodbusinessinnovationcontestentryform2021.docx.
Postcard Project
Seeking Entries
The Wild Postcard Project, working with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, is offering a nature-themed art competition to the artistic youths of Alaska to showcase the biodiversity found here.
The Wild Postcard Project and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center are calling kids and teens between ages 5 and 18 to create art that depicts Alaskan biodiversity (any living creature or plant life). Pieces can feature a single organism or two, or even an entire landscape. The focus is on Alaskan biodiversity to increase the awareness of the wildlife found in the state. Ten entrants will have their artwork turned into postcards. Additional prizes will be awarded by the Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Center.
This is the first time these two organizations have come together to host the competition.
Go to www.wildpostcardproject.com for details.
Adaptation Grant
Applications Ready
The Alaska State Council on the Arts in partnership with Rasmuson Foundation has developed the Adaptation and Innovation Grant.
The new program is for Alaskan organizations, individuals and agencies to adapt and innovate during this time of instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It has three tiers: Adaptation and Innovation in Schools (up to $1,000); Adaptation and Innovation for Individuals and Organizations (up to $2,000); and the Adaptation and Innovation for Arts and Culture Organizations (up to $10,000).
The purpose of the granting strategy is to support efforts to rebuild, connect with the community, and to positively impact Alaskan lives across the state through the arts and culture.
Eligible applicants are: any public or nonprofit school in Alaska; nonprofit organizations engaged in artistic practice; nonprofit organizations for which all or a significant portion of the mission is met through art practice, arts engagement, arts education, and/or arts commerce; or individuals 21 or older and residents of Alaska.
Applicants can find more information and paper applications at https://arts.alaska.gov/adaptation-and-innovation-grant-program.
Apply online at https://artsalaska.submittable.com/submit/178746/adaptation-and-innovation-grant-program.
Grant questions can be directed to asca.grants@alaska.gov.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Webinar on COVID
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America will hold a free webinar 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, Alaska time, on ‘‘ Managing COVID-19: Special Issues Facing Families Impacted By Alzheimer’s.’’
Individuals can learn more or register for the free webinar by visiting www.alzfdn.org/events.
The webinar will be led by Allison B. Reiss, M.D., a member of AFA’s Medical, Scientific and Memory Screening Advisory Board, Associate Professor at NYU Long Island School of Medicine and Head of the Inflammation Section, Biomedical Research Institute, NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island.
‘‘The effects of Alzheimer’s can make it harder for a person to notice or communicate discomfort, hindering family caregivers from spotting COVID-19 symptoms,’’ a press release said. ‘‘The pandemic may also pose challenged for someone with Alzheimer’s disease in following safety protocols such as wearing a mask or washing their hands.’’
