Thanks, Pizza Express
Dear Editor: Baranof Pizza Express night was a huge success. Not only did we have a great time, but Pizza Express generously donated a percentage of all sales and we raised over $1,000. Proceeds from this event fund PAC supported programs and activities such as Artist in Residence, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, staff appreciation lunch, as well as provide end of year support for classroom field trips and picnics. Thank you, Keturah, for organizing this wonderful event. Also, thanks to everyone who came out or ordered in and a very big thank you to Hector and everyone at Pizza Express.
Baranof Elementary School
Parent Advisory Committee
Banff Film Fest
Dear Editor: Recently, the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour made a stop in Sitka for the 10th year in a row. The Banff Film Fest Sitka and No Limits would like to thank all those who attended an evening of exciting and inspiring films. A special thanks to the Banff Film Fest Sitka committee for all the work put the event together. They are Robin Grewe, Jeff Budd, Cerisa Swanberg, Emily Beaulie and Kari Sagel. They did a fantastic job with all the many details that make such an evening happen.
Thanks also go out to Kristi Beetch, the Banff on-site coordinator/MC. We would also like to thank our local sponsors: Baranof Island Brewing Company, Yellow Jersey, Russells, Hames and the Shee Atika Totem Square Inn.
Also involved in putting on a great show included the following: J Bradley, Shannon Haugland, Kylie Hoey, Peggy Fedoroff, Maime Clare, Leone Clare, Frilly Andrelia, Jim Clare, Krisanne Rice and Lanis Beach. We had wonderful help getting the word out. Thank you, Sitka Sentinel, Raven Radio, KIFW/KSBZ and all the businesses that allowed us to hang our Banff Mountain Film Festival posters. Thanks to anyone else, that we may have missed, who helped with our event.
Each year the Banff Film Fest Sitka selects a local organization to receive the Banff Mountain Film Festival proceeds (after the bills are paid) to apply toward immediate needs and goals. We thank those organizations that applied this year and we encourage Sitka to support our selection this year, Southeast Alaska Independent Living. SAIL empowers seniors and people with disabilities by providing services and information to support you in making choices that will positively affect your independence and productivity in society.
Dave Nevins
Banff Film Fest Sitka,
Robin Grewe, Jeff Budd,
Cerisa Swanberg, Emily Beaulie
and Kari Sagel
Kiddos Love Disco
Dear Editor: Sunday, Feb. 24, marked Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool’s annual “Kiddos Love Disco” fundraiser, which included a spaghetti dinner and dessert auction.
First and foremost, the school would like to thank the Elks Club for hosting our event. Secondly, the school would like to extend a great big thanks to Agave Restaurant for their very generous donation of delicious spaghetti sauce for our dinner.
Sea Mart contributed to our dinner with donations of salad and garlic bread, and AC Lakeside graciously provided the spaghetti noodles. Also, various businesses donated some incredible desserts for our auction and for that we would like to thank Chef Randy at the Westmark, Bernadette at the Backdoor Café, Tim at the Nugget Restaurant and Kris at Grandma Tillie’s Bakery.
We were fortunate to have some energetic Mt. Edgecumbe High School students, Millie, Justin, Antonio and Ethan, wait and bus tables and for that we are very grateful. MEHS also donated some of their Founders Day dance decorations to our event. And, of course, we would like to thank all who came to our event and made it a very successful fundraiser for Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool.
Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool
Board of Directors
Good Samaritans
Dear Editor: On the last week of January I was on my last leg of my daily walk when I fell flat on my face.
I heard a truck and thought ‘‘Oh my God, I’m going to get hit!’’ Instead, a man got out and said, ‘‘Ma’am, ma’am, are you all right?’’ Then a second later I heard my granddaughter Gena say, ‘‘Grandma, Grandma, are you OK? I was just coming to check on you.’’
Between the two of them, they got me in the truck and took me to SEARHC hospital. I was admitted there for a few days.
Thank you, young man, and thank you, Gena, for helping me that day. I’ve been referring to you two as my guardian angels. God bless you two for your act of kindness.
Virginia Thomas, Sitka
Grants for Businesses
Dear Editor: Alaska can be a tough place to do business. That is especially true in today’s global economy, where competition from imports makes the business climate even more difficult.
A federal grant program is available to help “Made in America” companies become more competitive, and save U.S. jobs. The funds come from the Trade Adjustment Assistance program of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration to assist a wide range of businesses and service industries.
Companies that are losing sales to foreign imports, or have been forced to lay off workers or cut back on hours are likely eligible for the TAA grants.
Alaska’s seafood industry is a prime example. Wild salmon faces intense competition from less expensive farmed fish from Chile and Norway. Alaska king crab gets clobbered by Russian product; snow crab sales get squeezed by imports from Eastern Canada. Most recently, Alaska cod markets have crumbled due to enormous amounts of fish coming from the Barents Sea.
Alaska seafood companies, fish processors and brokers, and other related businesses may be eligible to receive up to $75,000 in grants for a wide range of projects of their choice. The funds enable recipients to develop and complete projects that they might not otherwise have considered.
Seafood companies are just one example of the many kinds of businesses and services that may be eligible for TAA grants. Sawmills, farmers, co-ops and trade groups or association members also may qualify.
Our staff at the Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center will work with you at no cost to determine if your company is eligible for TAA grant funding. We help clients develop a strategic plan, and make sure it is accomplished by hiring outside experts to complete the projects. All information is treated as confidential.
Find more information about TAA grants for “Made in America” companies at www.nwtaac.org or contact Patrick Meuleman, Client Development Manager, at patrick@nwtaac.org .
Patrick Meuleman,
Client Development Manager,
Northwest Trade Adjustment
Assistance Center
Support BHV
Dear Editor: The Permanent Fund Dividend Charitable Contributions Program, Pick.Click.Give. has greatly benefited Brave Heart Volunteers, Yee. Gu.aa YÁx X’wÁn and the Sitka community. Last year, Brave Heart Volunteers had 72 generous Alaskan contributors who have helped us give our fellow community members and their families support and compassion in their time of need.
We extend gratitude to our 2012 Pick.Click.Give. contributors: Catherine Allgood-Mellema, Aleeta Bauder, Lisa Brendle, Anthony Carabellese, Barbara Carlson, Jane Demmert, Patricia Durham, James Edwards, Valerie Edwards, Ellen Frankenstein, Myron Fribush, Traci Gale, Carmill Goldsberry, Gloria Graham, Leanne Griffin, Mark Hackett, Lisa Herwald, Tonia Hewitt, Auriella Hughes, Christie Jones, Ryan Kauffman, Jacob Kirkness, Erika Knox, Kara Knox, Kevin Knox, Martina Kurzer, Cindy Litman, Susan Litman, Deborah Lyons, Kerry Maclane, Sheryl Mayo, Mildred McConnell, Deborah Miller, Donna Miller, Mary Miller, Carole Newcomb, Norbert Patterson, Helen Raschick, Greta Ryan, Joann Torgeson, Peter Weiland, Lori Whitmill, Christopher Wilbur and the 32 anonymous contributors.
Your donations let Brave Heart Volunteers continue the mission of providing seamless support and quality educational services for individuals and caregivers in our community facing illness, isolation, end of life, or grief. Services we provide free of charge because of supporters like you. “I don’t know what my family would have done without Brave Heart Volunteers,” – Testimonial from BHV Care Recipient.
We thank those who have given in the past and encourage those to give in 2013. Any contribution, big or small, is greatly appreciated and makes an impact with our small volunteer-run, non-profit organization. In addition to your personal donations through Pick.Click.Give., your contribution could make Brave Heart Volunteers eligible to receive a matching donation of $5,000 from the Rasmuson Foundation.
This would significantly maximize opportunities for us to further develop our current programs and offer new programs based on growing needs in the community. To achieve this goal, we need your help. Please consider donating to Brave Heart Volunteers through Pick.Click.Give. and believe in the power of working together for a common purpose. The shared goal of helping our neighbors strengthens and benefits the whole community.
The Staff at Brave Heart Volunteers
Willow Moore, Amanda Taylor,
Jessica Gibson, and Pamela Bopp
