‘Democracy’ Walk
Slated for Nov. 3
Sitka’s “Walk for Democracy” is slated 9 a.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. Participants will walk from the Alaska Marine Highway System’s ferry dock to Centennial Hall.
Ray Majeski will lead the walk from the dock to Centennial Hall to vote.
Majeski has spent 39 years in public service. He was in the Air Force for four years, a police officer for 25 years, and served 11 years as the Sitka Harbormaster.
‘‘If Ray can walk the seven miles, we all can,’’ organizers said. ‘‘Wear bright clothes, maybe a flashing light to give traffic a heads-up, and dress warm.’’
Participants can walk, ride a bike or skateboard – anything not motorized.
‘‘Do all of it, or part of it, but go vote,’’ organizer said.
Call Jeff, 747-4821, with questions.
Be-Tween Event
At Public Library
Sitka Public Library’s Be-Tween event 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, will be a virtual marshmallow or ghost scavenger hunt and “anything but human” costume party.
Tweens ages 10 to 12 can dress up and join the online Be-Tween club hour. The program requires an e-mail address to send an online platform invitation to participate. Registrations can be done over the phone at 747-4020 or via e-mail at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org.
Babies & Books
Treat or Read On
Sitka Babies and Books and Sitka Public Library are inviting families with babies, toddlers and preschoolers to participate in the annual Treat or Read program 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
Participants can walk and read around the library building and then get a Grab ’N’ Go Halloween bag with a free book, crafts and a few surprises. To reserve a bag, families need to register at the library or over the phone at 747 4020.
Racial Equity
Videos on Tap
A free recording of the Racial Equity and Justice in Southeast Alaska speaker series can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/justicevision.
The online series starts with a workshop by author Tim Wise called ‘‘Beyond Diversity: Steps for Uprooting Racism, Privilege, and Institutional Inequity.’’ Other speakers include Dr. Amer Ahmed, Hugh Vasquez, Megan Red Shirt-Shaw and Dionne Brady-Howard.
The series was sponsored by the Complete to Compete (Title III grant) at the University of Alaska Southeast Sitka campus with support from the Sitka Tribe of Alaska Social Services Department, SEARHC, SAFV, the Sitka STEPS grant, and the Sitka Health Summit and Pathways Coalitions.
Trick-or-Treat
Downtown a Go
The Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce and local businesses will host the annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat event 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, on Lincoln Street between the Lake Street and Katlian Street intersections.
All are invited to the free event and costumes are being encouraged. Participants will be required to wear face coverings during the event and follow CDC guidelines that mandate social distancing of six feet from those not in one’s immediate family.
The route will follow the usual vehicle traffic pattern to allow for better foot traffic flow and social distancing, the Chamber of Commerce said.
Those wanting to volunteer or donate to the purchase of candy should email conventions@visitsitka.org or call 747-8604.
BIHA Board Meets
Baranof Island Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will meet 5:30 p.m. Oct. 27 via Zoom.
Those wishing to participate may submit a message to info@bihasitka.org before noon on Oct. 27.
Maritime Grind
Goes Virtual
Sitka WhaleFest will host its virtual Maritime Grind 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6.
To participate, register at www.sitkawhalefest.org by Nov. 4.
Emblem Club
Meets Thursday
Sitka Emblem Club 142 invites members to attend the fall social meeting 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Elks Lodge.
Social distancing and masks are recommended. Attendees can wear their Halloween costumes.
Invasive Species
Workshop Set
The annual Alaska Invasive Species workshop will take place virtually Oct. 27-29. It will run half days on Zoom, from 9 a.m. to noon. The workshop provides a forum to discuss invasive species management, research, policy and emerging issues.
Two presentations will address controlling invasive chokecherry, which has been widely planted as an ornamental. Workshop coordinator Gino Graziano said the trees crowd out other desirable vegetation, and chokecherry pits and branch tips contain cyanide, which can be toxic to moose. Katherine Schake of the Homer Soil and Water Conservation District will talk about a program to help residents remove chokecherry trees, and Graziano will talk about effective chemical treatments.
Other topics include control of orange hawkweed; efforts to control the spread of northern pike, which have affected salmon populations; evaluation of the impacts of elodea; and invasive species initiatives on lands managed by the Department of the Interior.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service is coordinating the workshop with the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership. Registration is free this year. Registration, an agenda and more workshop information are available at www.uaf.edu/ces/invasives/conference. The Department of Environmental Conservation offers continuing education credits for workshop participation. For information, contact Graziano at 907-786-6315 or gagraziano@alaska.edu.
