Climate Connection
Connecting to the issues, the solutions and each other – a collaborative effort by Sitkans concerned about climate change
By Lisa Sadlier-Hart
Did you know that Americans waste close to 40% of the food they buy? And the average household of four wastes $1,500 per year or $124 per week? We are literally throwing food and our hard-earned money away and squandering the precious energy and water used to produce and transport food! Why not redirect it to the 1 in 6 who go hungry in our nation or divert it away from landfills by composting and thus minimizing methane gas production?
So what can you do to rein in your food waste and save yourself some money? First, plan your meals and shopping list. Use the sales ads to help and buy only what you need for the week and factor in when you are going to eat out. Second, pay attention to “use by” dates which are most important for perishable foods like meats and poultry and realize that “sell by” dates don’t mean the food is bad. Third, store your food well - use produce bags that extend storage, rehydrate wilting greens, get food into the fridge or freezer promptly. These will help to extend the food’s shelf life. Fourth, keep your refrigerator between 32-40 degrees fahrenheit. Keeping food at those temps means food has a chance to make it to the table, so keep a thermometer in the fridge so you know it’s working.
I’ll provide more tips next week; in the meantime check out https://www.choosemyplate.gov/lets-talk-trash for some great tips on reducing food waste.
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Lisa Sadlier-Hart is a member of Citizens Climate Lobby, Sitka Chapter
5K Walk, Run
Listed April 6
The Stride 365 5K walk and run is listed Saturday, April 6, at the O’Connell Bridge lightering facility. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the race begins at 9:30 a.m.
The $10 suggested donation will benefit the SAFV Shelter in observance of Child Abuse Awareness Month. Contact Heleena van Veen for questions at 966-8914.
Unitarians Meet
On Sunday at the Sitka Unitarian Universalist Fellowship the topic will be “Traveler, Tourist, Clueless: A Discussion of Classic and Modern Travel.” Rich McClear will describe what it’s like to go around the world at 19 miles an hour on a modern cruise liner.
Gathering begins at 10:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:45 a.m. Soup and bread follow at noon. The Fellowship Hall is at 408 Marine Street, with parking off Spruce Street.
White E Shop
Sale Saturday
The White Elephant Shop will have a blue tag and book sale starting Saturday. All blue tag items and books will be half-price in both stores.
Volunteer Sought
For MEHS Board
Mt. Edgecumbe High School is accepting community representative applications for the school’s Advisory Board.
The three-year term expires on July 1, 2022. For information and/or application contact September Horton at septemberh@mehs.us or call 966-3221.
Climate Change
Documentary Set
A free showing of the documentary film ‘‘The Human Element’’ will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at the Sitka Public Library. The film highlights Americans who are on the front lines of climate change, inspiring individuals to re-evaluate their relationship with the natural world.
After the 78-minute movie, participants will discuss the film and ways to take effective action in Sitka. The program is sponsored by the new Sitka350 group, for more information go to 350.org or https://thehumanelementmovie.com/.
Testimony Taken
At Sitka LIO
The House Transportation Committee will take public testimony on budget cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System 1:30-3 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12.
Sign up to testify from the Sitka Legislative Information Office a half hour before each session.
In the coming week, public testimony also will be taken on SB70, which eliminates the Ocean Ranger program, and HB7 which requests an Elizabeth Peratrovich Commemorative Coin from the U.S. Treasury.
For a full schedule of upcoming public testimony opportunities visit testify.akleg.gov or call the Sitka Legislative Information Office at 747-6276.
Kayak Video Set
The kayaking video ‘‘Paddling in Arctic Bay Nunavut Canada’’ will be shown 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at the Rasmuson Hall on the SJ Campus and again 2 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the Sitka Pioneers Home main lobby.
Go to www.nkhorizons.com for more information.
School Board Meets
For Budget Session
Members of the Sitka School Board will hold a budget work session 6 p.m. March 11 at the Sitka High School library. The board is encouraging community members to attend.
SOS: Lifeline
Meet Rescheduled
The Sitka Outreach and Support (SOS): Lifeline group meeting previously scheduled for today has been rescheduled to 2-3 p.m. Friday, March 29, at St. Peter’s See House.
The collaborative community addresses the needs of people experiencing poverty and/or homelessness. For information, contact Julia Smith at 738-6336, eastergroupsitka@gmail.com.
