Port Alexander Student, 15,
Getting Advanced Learning
A Port Alexander student is spending some of his summer in Anchorage as part of the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program’s Acceleration Academy summer component.
Sage Martin, 15, is among high school students this week testing their engineering skills against a fact of life in Alaska: earthquakes. Other projects will follow.
Sage Martin
Students tested balsa wood towers against a simulated earthquake to see which tower can withstand the shaking. The students also are networking with professionals, exploring STEM careers and participating in interactive STEM modules.
They are earning free college credits to put them on the fast track to completing a bachelor’s degree.
Students live on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus to gain knowledge of and familiarity with college life and have a place to connect with peers outside the classroom. All rising eighth, ninth, 10th and 11th grade students across Alaska are eligible to apply and participate in the component, which is available to students at no cost and provides two five-week sessions.
The summer program was first introduced in 2009 and was one of ANSEP’s most successful components: its full-time Acceleration Academy. The full-time component is available in Anchorage, Bethel and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
A recent grant has accelerated expansion plans for the component in Dillingham, Kotzebue and Juneau. ANSEP is also adding a year-round residential element to the Anchorage campus to make the full-time component available for every student in Alaska. Applications for the fall 2022 semester are being accepted for Anchorage, Bethel, Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Kotzebue and the Anchorage-based residential option. Students and parents may sign up at ANSEP.net to be automatically notified when the Dillingham and Juneau applications are released.
Sage, a sophomore, is the son of Ryan Martin and Molly Kimzey.
Farmers Market Returns
To Its Roots on Saturday
The Sitka Farmers Market will kick off its 15th summer July 2 when it returns to its roots at the ANB Founders Hall – its home for its first 12 summers of markets.
Markets are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on alternate Saturdays, July 2, 16, 30, Aug. 13, 27, and Sept. 10 and 24.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic limited our markets the last two years, forcing us to move and change our format, we’re happy to be getting back to some normalcy this year,” Sitka Local Foods Network board president Charles Bingham said. “Our seven markets this year will still have some COVID safety measures, such as being held entirely outdoors and encouraging everybody to use face masks. But we will have our usual variety of fresh local produce, fish, homemade baked goods, cottage foods, cooked food, arts and crafts, and more. It will be nice to return to our roots at ANB Founders Hall this summer.”
The Sitka Farmers Market is a community event hosted by the Sitka Local Foods Network, whose mission is to increase the amount of locally produced and harvested food in the diets of Southeast Alaskans. Focus is on local – fresh produce, fish, baked goods, prepared foods, cottage foods, arts and crafts – and all products must be made in Alaska (preferably in Sitka or Southeast Alaska; cooked foods may use non-local foods so long as the food is cooked on site).
Masks will be required inside the hall when Sitka is at the moderate/medium or high risk levels. At outside booths, vendors and customers will be encouraged to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and avoid bunching up while giving others six feet of space, organizers said.
The online vendor registration website, http://sitkafarmersmarket.eventsmart.com, launched last year will be in effect. Vendors need to register by the Thursday morning before each market to be guaranteed a spot. Tables/booths are $40 each, with a special of $240 (instead of $280) for someone registering for all seven markets before the first one takes place.
Youths 14 and younger can reserve a table for $20 for the full season. Due to COVID restrictions, half-tables are not available this year.
Vendors can pay using PayPal or credit/debit card. At the payment options on the page, click PayPal and it should give the option of using a PayPal account or four different types of cards (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover). Those wanting to pay by cash or check can contact Charles Bingham at 907-623-7660.
Nalani James is the Sitka Farmers Market manager this summer. Laura Schmidt is lead gardener at St. Peter’s Fellowship Farm, where the Sitka Local Foods Network grows most of the produce it sells at the market. Charles Bingham is assistant market manager and president of the Sitka Local Foods Network.
In addition to vendors, volunteers are needed to help set up and take down the markets, and sell produce at the Sitka Local Foods Network farm stand. More information about how to volunteer is at: https://sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org/2022/06/15/sitka-local-foods-network-seeks-volunteers-to-help-with-sitka-farmers-markets/.
For questions about the market, email sitkafarmersmarket@gmail.com or call (907) 623-7660. More details about the market will be posted on the Sitka Local Foods Network website, http://www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org, and shared on its Facebook pages – https://www.facebook.com/SitkaLocalFoodsNetwork and https://www.facebook.com/SitkaFarmersMarket – and on Twitter, https://www.twitter.com/SitkaLocalFoods.
Chamber Invite:
‘Share Your Spark’
Businesses and residents can “Share Your Spark” by decorating storefronts and homes in red, white and blue to commemorate Independence Day, the Chamber of Commerce says.
Community groups may choose to participate by cleaning up a stretch of road or local beach. Individuals or families could plant a tree or help their neighbors.
‘‘After you’ve ‘sparked,’ stop by and pick up your window or yard sign at the Chamber office,’’ staff members said.
To participate, submit address and a photo of the ‘‘spark’’ by Wednesday, June 29, to membership@sitkachamber.com or Facebook.com/SitkaChamber. ‘‘Sparks’’ will be shared throughout the month on the Chamber’s Facebook page. A live prize drawing will be held July 6.
4th of July Parade,
Events Scheduled
‘‘The Many Faces of Sitka’’ has been announced as this year’s Fourth of July parade theme.
Registration is open for groups and floats. Prizes for Best of Theme, Best of Parade and Most Enthusiastic will be given following the parade, the Chamber of Commerce announced.
Lineup will be at noon on Lake Street between the roundabout and KIFW radio station. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. It will proceed to the stoplight, turning right onto Lincoln Street, continuing past City Hall, turning left on Harbor Drive.
Go to business.sitkachamber.com for more information and to register. More information also is at 907-747-8604. The entry fee is $25.
Those who have an event to add to the Fourth of July event calendar for July 1-4 can email membership@sitkachamber.com.
Class Reunion Set
For 1970s Grads
Classes of the 1970s are planning for a reunion on July 4.
It will include a tour of the high school, potluck dinner, picnic and participating in the parade. Call Valorie at 907-747-4589 for further information.
Barn Dance Set
For 4th of July
A free, outdoor barn dance will be 11 a.m. Monday, July 4, at the Totem Square end of Lincoln Street. Live music will be by Fishing for Cats. For more information call (907)747-3412.
New Archangel
Dancers Perform
A free performance by the New Archangel Dancers is planned 12:30-1 p.m. July 2 at Harrigan Centennial Hall. It is open to the public.
Brave Heart Bowls
Event on July 2
Brave Heart Volunteers Bowls is planned 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. July 2 at Centennial Hall.
Fifteen local ceramic artists have created 300 bowls. Soup will be available and music will be performed. Other fundraising activities are planned.
‘Older Car’ Parade
On 4th of July
The Older and Interesting Car Parades planned July 4 will leave precisely at 11 a.m. from Whale Park on Sawmill Creek Road toward town.
The cars will go right on Lake Street to Peterson Street and then right on Edgecumbe Drive, down Cascade Creek Street, right on Halibut Point Road. The procession will turn around at HPR Recreation Area, then return to Peterson Street and disband at the high school.
‘‘Due to requests from photographers, we will do our best to go around the round-a-bout slowly before heading up Lake Street for photo opportunities,’’ said Jeff Budd, organizer of the event.
Special Service
Set at St. Peter’s
A Service of Lament and Healing will be held at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church 6 p.m. June 30.
In the wake of the Roe v. Wade recent decision, the service is a space for all to gather for quiet prayer and reflection, the church said.
For information, contact the church at stpetersbytheseak@gmail.com. It is located at 611 Lincoln Street and is open every day to stop in for quiet, prayer, and rest for the spirit.
St. Peter’s Sets
Sunday Service
St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church will hold one in-person service 10 a.m. July.
A Zoom option is available by contacting the church at stpeterbytheseak@gmail.com.
The church is located at 611 Lincoln Street and is open every day to stop in for quiet, prayer, and rest for the spirit.
In-Home Childcare
Sought by Office
In-home childcare is needed by the Sitka Office of Children’s Services.
The State of Alaska can pay for ‘‘unlicensed’’ in-home childcare for up to one year. Background checks and fingerprinting are required.
A shortage exists of daycare availability for infants through grade-school age children.
Call the Office of Children’s Services, 907-747-5103 or email to donna.callistini@alaska.gov.
