Climate Connection: Thinking “Table to Table”
By Leah Mason
If you listen to Raven Radio you may have been hearing the announcements about the Drawdown Learning Circle and wondering what it is all about.
A learning circle is a meeting of people with something to share about a topic. Questions. Answers. Ideas. Enthusiasm. Skills. Everyone has something useful to contribute and a place at the table.
The Drawdown Learning Circle meets once a month to discuss 100 climate change solutions. In January we talked about food waste. What counts as waste? What options do we have for avoiding food waste? What could we do as a community to reduce or eliminate it? Two big things started from this hour-long conversation. The first is a food tip database. So many people had great tips and tricks to make the most of their food purchases that we had to create a way to collect them and share them with more people. You can add your own tip about buying, storing, prepping, cooking or using left-overs at https://forms.gle/X6uKyNhgvAsaaDyt6.
The second big thing is a fact-finding mission to look for practical ways to reduce our carbon footprint AND solid waste costs by removing food waste from garbage cans. Learning circle members are now talking to supermarkets about how we can make the most of food that gets shipped here. Another food waste hotspot are school cafeterias which cater to some of the pickiest eaters around, which got us thinking about how this could be a learning moment. Composting, worm farming and a school garden project are great math, science and skill building projects!
In February we moved to the next stage in the food cycle - turning all that food ‘waste’ into organic energy and nutrients (soil and fertilizer). Using local food and greenwaste to grow plants is great as an alternative to shipping fertilizer from the lower 48 – especially since some are so powerful you can easily overfertilize! Why is that a problem? Because it can run off into the ocean and create algal blooms. Unused fertilizers can also feed soil organisms which create nitrous oxide - a greenhouse gas that is 296 times more powerful than carbon dioxide! Making sure that doesn’t happen is number 65 on the list of 100 solutions to climate change.
We also talked about number 60: composting. Did you know that one person in Sitka is already most of the way to having a community-scale composter? Our question as a learning circle is “What can we do to help that person get that system up and running?” Is there a business opportunity for someone to collect food waste from households or food businesses and feed the composter?
Next week, at the third learning circle of the year, we will be talking about the first and last stage of the food cycle. What we put on the table for dinner, and how that decision makes a difference to our carbon footprint. This topic is ranked number 4 in ideas that will “drawdown” our excess greenhouse gases. If you’re interested in finding out more about how changing what we eat can improve our community life, come along and join the discussion of Meatless Mondays.
Find us in the Gus Adams Room in the Sitka Public Library from 5:45 to 7 p.m. March 19.
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Leah Mason is a member of the Sitka Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
Memorial Salmon
Derby Prize Listed
The Sitka Sportsman’s Association pistol shooters have created a special prize in this year’s Sitka Salmon Derby to memorialize Mike Bagley, who recently passed away.
Bagley was a longtime member and pistol shooter at the association and participated in the winter competitive leagues for many years. He scored the only perfect 100-point target that anyone can remember, the association said.
Pistol shooters – or anyone else – who wish to donate to the memorial prize are asked to contact Steve Ramp at 738-7267. Donations will be accepted until April 14.
Fleet Blessing
Is Postponed
In the interest of the health of the community, Sitka Lutheran Church and Southeast Women in Fisheries has postponed the communitywide Blessing of the Fleet and Mug-up, which usually takes place in the spring, to a later date.
Those who would like their boats blessed individually can contact Pastor Sandra S. Rudd at Sitka Lutheran Church, 747-3338.
Museum Updates
Hours, Events
Due to a temporary shortage of staff, the Sheldon Jackson Museum has postponed all public programs between today and April 3.
The museum will continue to operate, though at a slightly reduced schedule from regular winter hours. It will be open noon-4 p.m. March 17, 18 and 20; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 19 and 21.
It expects to have regular hours resume March 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
‘‘We apologize for any inconvenience and will keep you posted on the new dates of our programming for April,’’ the museum said.
Winter admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and free for children 18 and under and Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum members and Alaska State Museum pass holders. For more information, call (907) 747-8981.
Echo Ranch
Updates Given
Randy Alderfer, director of Echo Ranch Bible camps in Juneau and Haines, will provide an update about the camps this weekend in Sitka.
They will speak 7 p.m. Saturday at Grace Harbor Church; 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Grace Harbor Church; and 3 p.m. Sunday at Calvary Chapel Sitka.
For information contact Dug Jensen at 747-5454.
Museum Updates
Hours, Events
Due to a temporary shortage of staff, the Sheldon Jackson Museum has postponed all public programs between today and April 3.
The museum will continue to operate, though at a slightly reduced schedule from regular winter hours. It will be open noon-4 p.m. March 17, 18 and 20; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 19 and 21.
It expects to have regular hours resume March 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
‘‘We apologize for any inconvenience and will keep you posted on the new dates of our programming for April,’’ the museum said.
Zuill Bailey
Concert Postponed
The Sitka Music Festival has postponed the 10th anniversary celebration of Zuill Bailey’s Bach Cello Suites recording, originally scheduled April 4.
For more information go to sitkamusicfestival.org or call 747-6774.
Herring Fishery
Meeting Canceled
The Sitka Sound herring fishery informational meeting scheduled for March 16 has been canceled.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game said the action is being taken out of caution due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and follows guidelines issued by the governor’s office to protect public health.
Assessment of the Sitka Sound herring stock will proceed as performed in past years. Aerial surveys are scheduled to begin on March 14 and will continue through the end of herring spawning activity, ADF&G said.
The R/V Kestrel will arrive in Sitka on March 19 to monitor the returning herring biomass. The department will continue to issue fishery updates through the department’s Advisory Announcement system. Spawn maps will be included with fishery updates and paper copies will be available at the Sitka Fish and Game office during normal business hours. Updates on VHF radio will not be made as was done in past years.
‘‘It is still unlikely that there will be a commercial herring sac roe fishery in 2020,’’ ADF&G said in a press release today. ‘‘However, if there is valid interest and actual mobilization to harvest herring for sac roe this season, an announcement would be issued outlining the parameters of a potential fishery and test sets may occur.’’
LIOs Closed
To Foot Traffic
Due to the public health emergency surrounding the new coronavirus (COVID-19), rural Legislative Information Offices are being closed to public foot traffic. Offices remain open and staff will continue to help residents by phone and email.
The proactive step is being taken to support ongoing public health efforts and in light of the anticipated outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in Alaska. The offices frequently serve members of the public that represent higher risk groups for the COVID-19 virus.
Citizens who want to testify at legislative committee hearings can still do so by phone. Call toll-free 1-844-586-9085 or call the Sitka LIO at 747-6276 for instructions.
Master Gardening
Training in Sitka
Master gardener training begins March 25 at the Sitka Cooperative Extension Service office.
The session will meet 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays through May 27 and on five Saturdays, beginning April 4. Basic and practical horticultural training will be provided on a wide range of topics, including how to design, plant and maintain successful gardens in Southeast.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will host the session at the UAS-Sitka Campus. The class will be taught by Extension program assistant Jasmine Shaw, UAS biology professor Kitty LaBounty, local experts and other extension agents and staff.
Participants will receive 40 hours of instruction and commit to providing at least 40 hours of volunteer service to their communities within a year of completing the class. Trainees will be provided opportunities to share their skills with the community through various service projects and other venues.
Registration and additional details are available at http://bit.ly/SitkaMG. The $300 fee includes an Alaska gardening manual and a $100 deposit that will be refunded if service is completed within a year. For information, contact Shaw at jdshaw2@alaska.edu or 747-9440.
Unitarians Gather
Denton Pearson will speak on the history of Unitarian Universalism at Sunday’s meeting of the Sitka Unitarian Fellowship.
Gathering begins at 10:30 a.m., with the program at 10:45 a.m. Soup and bread follow at noon.
The Fellowship Hall is at 408 Marine Street, with parking behind off Spruce Street. All are invited to attend. For information, call 747-3702.
Drum-Making
Class Canceled
Due to the recent closure of UAS-Sitka Campus, Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s drum-making workshops, scheduled at UAS, are being postponed.
Registered individuals will be contacted when new workshop dates have been scheduled.
Those with questions or concerns can contact Jean Swanson at 747-3968.
Music, Art Fest
Events Canceled
Because of concerns surrounding the potential transmission of the COVID-19 virus, Region V has decided to cancel both Music Fest and Art Fest.
Region V had already announced postponing sport competitions for at least March 15-31. ASAA has postponed the state basketball tournament and could also become involved in the decision about spring sports and travel, said Sitka High Principal Laura Rogers in an email to parents.
‘‘The timing, transportation by ferry, housing challenges and fact that these events bring out crowds of participants who are then in close quarters, all contributed to this decision,’’ Rogers said. ‘‘While we all love offering these opportunities to our students, it isn’t worth the risk of having the virus spread through our community due to these large-scale events, or have visiting students return to their own home communities carrying the virus.’’
Teams will continue to practice, but traveling for competitions will be put on hold.
‘‘With all this said, administrators in our region are working to keep our schools clean, safe and open,’’ Rogers said. ‘‘We want our students to be able to remain focused on school and their activities. We are encouraging hand washing, maintaining distance, and using alcohol-based sanitizers to minimize the spread of any germs. Our custodians have suspended dusting and window washing in favor of sanitizing and disinfecting door handles, tables, desks and other surfaces. Hopefully, we will see a reduction in illnesses of all types as a result of these efforts.’’
LIO Testimony
Taken by Phone
Because of the Sitka Legislative Information Office’s closure to foot traffic, constituents may call 747-6276 or Juneau at 907-465-4648 for instructions.
The week of March 16 the Alaska Legislature will be taking public testimony on:
–3 p.m. March 17: Permanent Fund Constitutional amendment.
–9 a.m. March 18: State operating budget/loans/funds.
–9 a.m. March 19: State operating budget/loans/funds.
–3 p.m. March 19: Sale, transfer or disposal of ferries.
For a full list of topics, visit akleg.gov and click on “public testimony opportunities.” Track bills by text by calling 747-6276 or visit akleg.gov for more information.
Grind Canceled
The Original Artist Grind that was scheduled for March 21 has been postponed to a later date in September.
Those who purchased tickets are asked to contact Jeff Budd at 737-4821 for a refund.
Shakespeare Group
Cancels Meetings
Erring on the side of caution, I Read Shakespeare will not meet until further notice.
Alaska Day
Planners Meet
Coordinators for Sitka’s mid-October community Alaska Day Festival will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, at Harrigan Centennial Hall to continue planning activities commemorating the official transfer of Russian claim in Alaska to the United States of America which occurred at Sitka on October 18, 1867.
On the agenda is selecting a secondary focus for this year chosen among an institution, historic event, or cultural tradition important in Sitka’s heritage.
The Alaska Day Committee will meet each following third Tuesday of the month. Persons having comments about Festival activities or new volunteers are invited to attend the meetings or contact Chairman Ted Allio at 747-5124 or Vice Chair Steve Dalquist at 752-0750 or Schedule Coordinator Elaine Strelow at 747-3469.
Yoga Canceled
Yoga Union, a non-profit organization has canceled its 3 p.m. Saturday relax and renew restorative yoga event due to several cancellations.
The class schedule is at: http://www.yogaunionsitka.org.
