Sitka Tells Tales
Storytelling Set
Sitka Tells Tales, the local live storytelling series, will present “Tales of Tails: Stories of Cuteness, Chaos and Connection,” happening at Harbor Mountain Brewery Co. 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Individuals can listen live on KCAW Raven Radio at kcaw.org. The event is hosted by Artchange Inc., Friends of Sitka Animal Shelter and Raven Radio. For more information call (530) 386-4671 or email sitkaanimalfriends@gmail.com.
History, Dessert
Fundraiser on Tap
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society will present a history and dessert fundraiser, “1920: Murder in Chatham Strait,” by Betsy Longenbaugh and Ed Schoenfeld, 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Centennial Hall.
Tickets, $35, include a dessert by Wild Flour Bakery. Tickets will soon be available at sitkamaritime.org and at Old Harbor Books.
The historic presentation sheds light on the world, and underworld, of prohibition-era maritime Alaska. Longenbaugh, formerly of Sitka and a retired newspaper reporter, is author of “Forgotten Murders from Alaska” from Epicenter Press. Schoenfeld is a retired newspaper and broadcast reporter and editor. For more information, go to sitkamaritime.org, email sitkamaritime@gmail.com or call (907) 623-8054.
The maritime murder covered in the program took place about 40 miles east of Sitka.
Sitka Sportsmen
Set Annual Meet
The Sitka Sportsman’s Association annual general meeting and board elections will be held 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at 5211 Halibut Point Road in the Robert B. LaGuire Memorial Building. The meeting is open to members and the public.
‘‘This is a great opportunity for you to become involved with SSA and we hope you will attend,’’ a press release said.
Several door prizes will be awarded to current and new members in attendance.
Call board secretary Gregg Olson (907) 830-9792 with questions.
Parenting Program
Registration Open
The Circle of Security Parenting Program will be offered noon-1:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 23-March 5, at 111 Metlakatla Street.
It is free for caregivers of children up to age 5 years. Registration is required by email to lhodges@cfc.org or call 907-966-4229.
Author Longenbaugh
To Speak at Library
Southeast Alaska author Betsy Longenbaugh will talk about and sign copies of her recent book, “Forgotten Murders from Alaska,” 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at the Sitka Public Library.
Longenbaugh will present a short program, “Anatomy of a Murder From the Author’s Perspective,” discussing her research into historic true crime in Juneau and Southeast. “Forgotten Murders” was published in 2022 by Epicenter Press, which specializes in Alaska fact and fiction. The program is presented by the library and Old Harbor Books.
Longenbaugh, who grew in Sitka, has worked as a newspaper reporter, museum writer and U.S. Coast Guard social worker. She’s researched about 80 murder cases between 1900 and 1960. She and husband/fellow-researcher Ed Schoenfeld have presented historic murder walking tours and programs in Juneau since 2018.
“While we specialize in Alaska true crime, it’s about a lot more than murder. We put each crime into the context of its times and talk about racism, domestic violence and fairness in the criminal justice system,” Longenbaugh said.
The event is open to the public, and registration is not required. For information, call Margot at (907) 747-4020 or e-mail margot.oconnell@cityofsitka.org.
Mariner’s First Aid,
CPR Class in Sitka
Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will offer a Mariner’s First Aid and CPR/AED class 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 25 at NSRAA, 1308 Sawmill Creek Road.
Attendees will receive the U.S. Coast Guard accepted two-year first aid and CPR certification from the American Safety & Health Institute.
The class will cover CPR and automatic external defibrillators); treatment of choking; medical emergencies; trauma; environmental hazards; patient assessment; medical communications; drowning and hypothermia; and common fishing injuries.
The cost for the class is $125, including sales tax. Mariners may register online at www.amsea.org or call (907) 747-3287.
Drill Conductor
Classes in Sitka
AMSEA will conduct a fishing vessel drill conductor class 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 23 at the NSRAA building, 1308 Sawmill Creek Road.
The cost is $125 for commercial fishermen and $225 for all others. It meets the U.S. Coast Guard training requirements for drill conductors on commercial fishing vessels. Register online at www.amsea.org or call (907) 747-3287.
Upon completion of this course, participants may receive up to $95 off of their next purchase of a personal floatation device.
It 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. AMSEA’s Fishing Vessel Drill Conductor workshops meet the U.S. Coast Guard training requirements for drill conductors on commercial fishing vessels, 46 CFR 28.270 (c).
