Donation Sale
At ANB Hall
The Alaska Native Brotherhood will hold a donation sale 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at 235 Katlian Street.
Call Peter at 907-623-0330 or 907-738-2434 for more information.
Moose Women
Meet Oct. 24
Women of the Moose will meet 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, upstairs at the Moose Lodge.
On the agenda are the upcoming holiday events including a Lodge Pilgrim Ceremony, Veterans Day breakfast, and other events.
The WOTM is seeking donations of candy and treats for participation in the downtown trick-or-treating event. Candy can be dropped off at the lodge. Those with questions can call Faith at (907)752-0306.
Climate Connection: Federal Climate Monies
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed by Congress last August is ten times larger than any other climate bill ever enacted in the United States at $369 billion. Along with the bipartisan infrastructure bill from last November and the CHIPS and Science Act, there is a coordinated federal initiative to de-risk private sector investment in climate solutions. In fact, Credit Suisse pointed out that the economic opportunity is unprecedented in redirecting the U.S. economy toward clean energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The amount of money now available is potentially twice the bill’s price tag because 70% of the money is in the form of tax credits which are not capped. Thus, if uptake of the bill’s benefits is greater than estimated by the Congressional Budget Office, the impact might be much greater. The IRA may be as important as the 2015 Paris Accords in changing the history of climate action.
How do we take advantage of these new monies to lower our reliance on fossil energy? In previous Climate Connections, we have outlined that individuals can use tax credits or rebates to weatherize, install heat pumps and heat pump hot water heaters, switch to induction stoves purchase electric vehicles, upgrade electrical service, get solar panels and batteries, and more. What is novel in the IRA is that tax-exempt entities like municipalities and non-profits are now also eligible for the equivalent of tax credits in direct payments for wind, solar, and battery investments.
There are 204 funding opportunities now available from the federal government. The sheer number is overwhelming. Luckily, some nonprofit groups are stepping up to help us identify the grants, loans, rebates, and tax credits that fit with our local priorities to decarbonize. The Rocky Mountain Institute and World Resources Institute are disseminating a tool for federal grants and loans called FFOLD, the Federal Funding Opportunities for Local Decarbonization. This has five filters to narrow the areas of interest, such as electricity, transportation, and buildings. The Department of Energy has a EECBG (Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant) calculator to allow cities and counties to understand the formula monies being given through the states.
As a community, our task is to begin discussion of what our priorities are in the ten years that these new federal tax credits and other grants and loans are available to municipalities. Many of the grants and loans are restricted to two-year windows that will start at different points this decade. Luckily, our electric department has had two years planning with technical assistance from the national energy laboratories through the Energy Transition Initiative Partnership Program which concludes in December. There are monies for updating building codes to conserve energy and electrify heating to be spent by 2029, monies for electric vehicle charging infrastructure until 2026, Housing and Urban Development monies to be spent by 2028, EPA Green House Gas Reduction funds to be distributed by 2025, and more. With 204 opportunities, we need to bring specific priorities for both municipal and community-wide goals to the attention of our municipal staff and elected officials.
Kay Kreiss, Transition Sitka
Delta Kappa Gamma
Offering Mini Grants
Delta Kappa Gamma Iota Chapter will award five $250 mini grants for teacher support of classroom programs.
Applications will be accepted Oct. 19 through Nov. 11. The grants will be awarded Nov. 14. The application can be accessed and submitted at https://forms.office.com/r/hh9inkKBZ9. Call Jan Love at 907-747-5608 with questions.
Childcare Fair
Set for Saturday
The Sitka Health Summit is inviting families to a Childcare Awareness Fair 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 22, at Blatchley Middle School.
Attendees can learn about Sitka’s childcare options, brainstorm solutions for childcare cost and availability, and connect to family resources. An open gym, toddler gym, and activities are available for children. Snacks will be provided.
Pumpkin Patch
Event Oct. 22
The annual 3 to 5 Preschool’s Pumpkin Patch will be held 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the AC Lakeside parking lot, rain or shine.
AC Lakeside, sponsors of the event, will give each family a free mini pumpkin, while supplies last.
Attendees can walk through Mr. Scarecrow’s pumpkin patch and select pumpkins to purchase. All of the sale proceeds will be donated to the preschool. Cash and checks will be taken outside for food and pumpkin sales but those using credit cards will need to pay inside the store.
‘‘This is the perfect place to take a fall-themed family picture,’’ organizers said. ‘‘We will have a few lovely backdrops and prop options to choose from so come take some photos free of charge.’’
Because it is the 10th anniversary of the event, a drawing will be held for a one-hour bouncy house session for an elementary-school child and five friends. The prize is donated by Sitka FastPitch.
AC Lakeside also will have a drawing for a giant pumpkin. Each pumpkin purchase will earn an entry for both drawings.
Food and drink also will be for sale. Sponsors are AC Lakside, Sitka Bottling, Sitka Swirls and Sitka FastPitch.
Dancers Sought
For Public Event
Sitkans Can Dance! is seeking participants for a Nov. 5 performance at the Sitka Performing Arts Center.
Organizers welcome dancers of all styles to the stage, including local dance groups.
‘‘Here is your chance to dance for your friends and neighbors,’’ organizers said. ‘‘We welcome groups, duets, solos, etc. Anything you can think of, we’d like to see onstage.
Contact Melinda at sitkastudioofdance@gmail.com to register or ask questions. Studio space and costume help are available.
Trick-or-Treating
Event Downtown
Downtown Trick-or-Treating will be 4-6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, along Lincoln Street.
The street is closed to offer a safe space for children to trick-or-treat each year. Businesses are encouraged to remain open to distribute candy to trick-or-treaters.
Businesses may also choose to sponsor the event by purchasing a sponsorship package online, or dropping off pre-packaged Halloween candy to the Chamber of Commerce office at 104 Lake Street. All sponsorship funds will go towards purchasing candy to distribute to the downtown businesses for the event.
Businesses not located downtown may host a candy pop-up booth on Lincoln Street to help hand out candy to children. Businesses wanting to host a pop-up booth can email Victoria at membership@sitkachamber.com or call (907) 747-8604.
The deadline for sponsorships and booth sign-up is Monday, Oct. 24.
New Archangel
Dancers Recruit
New Archangel Dancers is recruiting for new members.
‘‘Come and learn some new folk dance steps and check us out Oct. 24, 7-9 p.m.,’’ the dancers said. ‘‘Bring a friend and come and dance. New Archangel Dancers would love to have you.’’
The all-volunteer women’s group for age 18 and older has been dancing and performing for 53 years. It is free to join and no experience is necessary.
Recruitment is year-round. For more information call (907)747-5516, email newarchangel@gci.net or check the Instagram or Facebook page ‘‘New Archangel Dancers.’’
