Climate Connection: Feeling Change: May
What’s the most valuable resource today? Money might come to mind or, fitting for a climate column, one might think of oil. But I would suggest it’s something we all already possess: our own attention.
Attention is how we invest the energy of the mind. Each day we’re bombarded with so much stuff and we have to make choices about what we focus on. This focus is our attention. And what we attend to then becomes more alive, more real for us. It comes to the forefront of our mind and matters to us. What we do not pay attention to fades to the background of our awareness.
Today, there are so many things trying to capture our attention. Our pockets contain palm-sized devices designed to capture as much of our attention as possible. Attention then turned into data. Data converted to capital. Capital that’s invested in new ways to capture more of our attention.
It can seem like a never-ending cycle of scrolls and notifications. Not to mention all in our day-to-day lives at work, at home vying for our gaze. Or the hurts of the world that try to push our attention elsewhere. But we have a special power: the ability to choose where we invest our attention.
A changing climate is already bringing changes to our lives. And changing the way we live means changing what we attend to. It means making decisions about where and what we put our time and energy into, including the energy of the mind. Because our actions often follow our thoughts.
After all, our energy is not completely our own. It’s drawn from around us and passes through us. Energy from the sun that makes plants grow and feeds animals. Elements like oxygen, sodium, potassium and magnesium course through our bodies. These contribute to the electrical signals that fire throughout our brain, heart and body. Which then helps make up our thoughts, feelings, sensations and behaviors.
So how do we attend to our attention? A walk in the woods, a quiet meditation. A religious service or cultural ceremony. Or even a heartfelt conversation with a close friend. These are all ways we’ve developed to step out of our day-to-day lives, to reflect on what matters and what we’re attending to. So when we jump back in or log back on, we can do so with renewed focus.
The natural world calls out to us. It doesn’t have the promotional deals and well-placed advertisements of our material goods. But it urgently matters. It asks us to shift our attention and our energy, from consuming its resources without thought, to becoming more aware of what we’re doing with the energy passing through us. Because then we are free to invest that energy in what really matters: life.
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John Lewis is a behavioral health professional and a member of the Sitka Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
A REVIEW:
Novel Offers SE Facts
K.E. Hoover: ‘‘Where Whales Dance.’’ Published by Geoduck Consulting, 2021. 280 pages. $14.95 in paperback.
‘‘Where Whales Dance’’ is the fifth work of fiction that Ken Hoover has set in Southeast Alaska, but it can be read independently of the other four. The novel is made up of 75 short chapters that bounce back and forth between several parallel murder mysteries in Wrangell, Petersburg, and Sitka. As if this weren’t enough of a literary challenge, the author shows his love of the place by cramming as much local background material as possible into this already busy book. Soon the reader finds that there is a fourth or fifth missing Indigenous woman, and, by the way, let’s chat a little bit about how to get into a Gumby suit, even though that will not come up again in the story.
The strength of all this detail is that the reader gets a look at dozens of aspects of life in Southeast Alaska. The weakness is that no author, editor, or reader can absorb that many facts, plots, and characters at the same time in fewer than 300 pages. Inevitably, errors slip in. For example, the Coast Guard uses the wrong rank structure and call signs, a doe is described as a “button deer,” and it’s implied that locals hunt moose on Chichagof. A humpback whale in the distance is somehow endowed with more than one dorsal fin. This explanatory overreach is unfortunate because the author really does have solid material. He spent six weeks on a beam trawler fishing for shrimp and there isn’t quite enough beam trawler action in the book. The most believable setting is the Wrangell shipyard because he clearly knows it. Hopefully, these elements will come back in future novels.
There are some notable passages in the book. Probably the best writing in this novel is a scene in which a woman held in the back of a patrol car struggles to control her urge to pee. One side-plot, about a neglected elder, is endearing. Other side-plots are extraneous and distracting, and some important passages are too short, confusing, or damaged by occasional misspelled words. One important problem is in the area of Indigenous cultures. The book is about missing Indigenous women, but the author struggles with describing them, for example referring to them as “Haida,” or “a Native.”
“Where Whales Dance” isn’t a perfect novel, but perfect stories don’t exist either in fiction or real life. The book reads easily and is truly about our local place. If you enjoy murder mysteries or local writing it’s worth keeping an eye out for this author.
– Paul Norwood
Bear Season Ends
The remainder of Unit 4 outside drainages spring brown bear hunts (RB088 & DB088) end May 31. The inside drainage hunts ended May 20.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game said successful hunters must report their harvest to them within 10 days of kill and have the bear sealed within 30 days. Those who obtained Unit 4 spring brown bear permits must return hunt reports within 15 days of the close of season, ADF&G said.
Hunt reports can be mailed, dropped off at the ADF&G office, 304 Lake Street, Room 103, or submitted online at www.hunt.alaska.gov.
For information, contact the Sitka Fish & Game office at 747-5449.
Davis Earns Degree
Joanna Davis of Sitka is one of more than 700 students who received a diploma at Harding University’s spring commencement ceremonies May 7-8.
She received a bachelor of arts degree in English.
Harding University is a private Christian university located in Searcy, Arkansas. Davis is a Sitka High School graduate.
STA Kayaani
Panel to Meet
Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Kayaani Commission will meet 6:30 p.m. June 1 at the Resources Protection Building at 429 Katlian Street.
The public is invited. The Kayaani Commission is a group of community members and tribal citizens who are concerned with preserving and protecting plants and the traditional ways they are used.
Those with questions can contact tammy.young@sitkatribe-nsn.gov or call 747-7167.
Monthly Grind
Meeting on Tap
Sitka Monthly Grind organizers are planning the 27th season and are seeking help with producing, and staging the talent shows.
A planning meeting will be held 7 p.m. June 3 at Centennial Hall in Room 7. Contact Jeff Budd at jbudd3500@gmail.com if planning to attend. Zoom attendance also is possible.
Tickets, Flyers
Ready for Sitka
Salmon Derby
The 66th Sitka Salmon Derby Brochures are ready and can be picked up and derby tickets purchased at Orion Sporting Goods and LFS Marine Supply.
Derby entry ticket fees are: $20, one day; $25, two days; $30, three days; $35, four days; $40, all five days; and $70 for a family for all five days. The family fee covers only the parents or grandparents and their children or grandchildren between the ages of 6 to 17. No refunds will be given once tickets have been purchased, the Sitka Sportsmen’s Association said.
Call SSA Derby Chairman and President John McCrehin at 738-8636 for more information.
Bike Ride Set
For Community
Cyclists of all abilities can participate in the annual Sitka Community Bike Ride on Saturday, May 29, at Totem Square.
Riders will meet at 10:30 a.m. and the ride begins at 11 a.m. Participants will travel down Lincoln Street to Sitka National Historical Park and back.
The ride is in observance of the first bike to come to Sitka in May of 1891.
Unique bicycles and gear for the pre-ride show, tell, and sell are encouraged. Helmets are required.
The event will have door prizes, including a gift card to the Yellow Jersey Cycle shop.
For information on the family friendly event, or to join the Sitka Cycling Club, go to sitkacycling.wordpress.com.
Spring Climate
Gathering on Tap
Those interested in climate action are invited to a bring-your-own-picnic Spring Climate Gathering 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 29, at the Crescent Harbor shelter.
Attendees are asked to take their own food, drinks, and picnic needs. Discussions will be on carbon-free and dividend legislation.
Sitka’s chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby is hosting the event. Call Michelle at 747-2708 for information.
Vaccinations
Slated June 4
Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available at a clinic sponsored by White’s Pharmacy 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 4 at the Sitka Fire Hall.
Moderna vaccines are available from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Pfizer vaccines will be given from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Philippines Day is
Focus of Event
Philippines Independence Day will be celebrated as part of the Active Family Outdoor Challenge 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 12.
Those wanting to help with the event are invited to a meeting 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, at the Baranof Elementary School parking lot. The group will discuss adding family friendly activities to the Philippine Independence Day event.
Chalk drawing, a large-scale creation of the Philippines flag, and basketball Bump contests are activities in the works.
Call Kari at 752-7323 with questions.
Porch Fest
Set June 5-6
Musical and dance performances, art workshops, food vendors and an art walk are all part of the upcoming Sitka Porch Fest June 5-6.
The event is a family friendly, COVID-conscious music and arts celebration noon-9 p.m. Saturday and 2-6 p.m. Sunday. Stages will be set up at the KCAW/Beak porch, Crescent Harbor shelter and outside of Russell’s during the art walk.
Attendees are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Porch Fest is sponsored by the Greater Sitka Arts Council, Sitka Rotary Club, Sitka AmeriCorps, Blue-Eyed Bear, Sitka Soup, Youth Advocates of Sitka, White’s Pharmacy, Mean Queen and other Sitka businesses and organizations.
Work Party at
Japonski Boatshop
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society will hold a volunteer work party to rebuild a wall on the Japonski Island Boatshop 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 29.
Volunteers of all skill levels are invited to take gloves and tools if they have them for part or all the time. Project leaders will provide training in historic preservation, coffee and snacks.
Call 738-7448 or email sitkamaritime@gmail.com for information or go to sitkamaritime.org.
Tidepool Walks
Return to Lineup
The Sitka Sound Science Center will again have its summer Guided Tidepool Walks. A walk is set 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Participants will be given a brief intertidal overview led by a trained interpreter, and then with staff will visit and explore the beaches at low tide.
The cost is $15/adults and $10/ages 3-12. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time by visiting SSSC’s website and clicking the ‘‘book now’’ button.
Services Saturday
For John Polivka
Services for John N. Polivka are scheduled 11 a.m. Saturday, May 29, at the Sitka Christian Center, 502 Hirst Street.
Mr. Polivka died aboard his F/V Sunse on Sept. 14, 2020. He was born in 1941.
Retirement Party for
Linda Fredrickson
A retirement celebration for longtime kindergarten teacher Linda Fredrickson will be 3-4 p.m. Sunday, May 30, at Fraser Hall on the SJ Campus.
Fredrickson taught kindergarten classes in the Sitka School District for 33 years.
Quilters Meet
Ocean Wave Quilters will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, at United Methodist Church and via Zoom.
Monthly meetings, September through June, are open to all, members or not. Those wishing to pay the $25 dues receive a monthly newsletter, discounts on classes and other benefits.
For information call President Sarah Jordan at 738-7272.
