Women’s Night
Dear Editor: It’s a great privilege to live in a community with such amazing, generous women and businesses. On Saturday evening, women from the community enjoyed a free “women’s night” evening at Hames Center. The evening was focused around “Boobs, Barbells and Body Talk.” A huge thank you goes out to SEARHC and Dr. Edwards and Dr. Laybourn for their presentation on breast cancer screenings, Koali and the Botanika ladies for providing facials that left the women glowing and refreshed, as well as Kari and North Sister Juice and Crepe Co for filling our bellies with delicious, healthy juices and smoothies.
Also a huge thank you to Hames Center instructors Hillary Seeland and Linda Speerstra for guiding workouts, and to the staff and volunteers who helped make the evening possible. It’s an honor to be able to support the health and women of our wonderful community! Thank you dearly to these amazing, strong women!
With deep appreciation,
Dawn Johnson,
Hames Center Operations Manager
Sitkans Can Dance!
Dear Editor: Saturday evening, Oct. 22, as you know, was Sitkans Can Dance! in the Sitka Performing Arts Center. And what an evening it was. We hosted one of the most enthusiastic crowds ever for this glorious event, reviews of which are unanimous – it was the best party in town.
But the success of this production, directed by the Greater Sitka Arts Council and Sitka Studio of Dance, is shared by many, and I’d like to take a moment now to thank you all. From our neighbors and ticket purchasers, our sponsors, board members and to the crew members and volunteers who donated their time and talents – I am in awe of your generosity. I want to thank the PAC, their professional technical and administrative staff, and Sitka’s local businesses for their kind support and cooperation throughout the year. And to our performers, whose spirits and steps sparkled on and off the stage. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
A special thanks to Jeff Budd and Melinda McAdams, whose roles at Sitkans Can Dance! include making this dynamic show possible. Your actions are the essence of true skill and partnership. And to Rob Woolsey, our master of ceremonies, for his warm- heartedness and winning humor.
Lastly, I want to thank Sarah Lawrie, executive director, noble leader, inspiring creative and the ultimate fiery soul.
We have the fiercest group of dedicated people working on behalf of the arts community here in Sitka. And with each new day, I count my blessings that I am surrounded by such dedication, passion, creativity and fun.
Sitkans Can Dance! sponsors include SEARHC, Tongass Threads, Baranof Realty, Alaska State Council on the Arts, The Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce, Sea Mart Quality Foods, Alps Federal Credit Union, City and Borough of Sitka, Art Works, First Bank, Eagle Bay Inn and Harry Race Pharmacy.
Kammie Daniels,
Director-in-Training,
Greater Sitka Arts Council
JKT for Statehouse
Dear Editor: We need not look elsewhere! Right before our very eyes, we have a tireless young diplomat/warrior already accomplishing a great deal of serious business on behalf of our community, our region and our state. He is the real-deal, folks; he is a known entity and we should fully embrace his unquestionable dedication, experience, and enthusiastic willingness to serve.
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has already proven himself. With two terms under his belt, he is the most experienced candidate in the race and has the best understanding of the issues. He has demonstrated a deep understanding of the importance of fishermen and the fishing industry to our economy – just talk with him and you’ll get a sense of his grasp. He understands the value of science research in helping manage our resources, and secured important funding for the beautiful Sitka Sound Science Center remodel, that now beautifies our Sitka waterfront and helps power our economy and enhance our education system.
JKT is enthusiastic beyond compare. He is measured, determined, thoughtful and smart. He has already demonstrated his ability to galvanize diverse interests for the common good. And, on top of it all – Jonathan is home-grown in Sitka, and his youthful energy is inspiring a multitude of young people to do good things in our communities to make Alaska great (again!).
Cast your vote for Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, cast your vote for a bright future for all Alaskans!
Davey Lubin, Sitka
Sitka Blood Drive
Dear Editor: Thanks, Sitkans, for blood drive support. To the numerous people, businesses and organizations who supported the Oct. 20-21 Blood Bank of Alaska, Sitka Blood Drive, many, many thanks. To Sitka Sentinel, KIFW and Raven Radio for the publicity recruiting donors and promoting the drive. To the entities which allowed the donor interest signup sheets to be posted in their locations. Alaska Airlines, Allen Marine, Brave Heart Volunteers, City of Sitka city hall and fire hall, Pioneers Home, Hames Corporation, Pioneer Station post office, Presbyterian Church, Sitka Public Library, Hames Center, SEARHC Hospital, Sitka Community Hospital, Sitka Health Fair, Sitkans Against Family Violence, Swan Lake Senior Center, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka and USCGC Maple.
To SEARHC warehouse department for transporting blood bank gear to and from Centennial Hall and Alaska Airlines. To Centennial Hall staff for their exceptional accommodating services. To those who provided snacks for the ‘‘canteen’’ serving the donors: Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge and American Legion for cases of bottled water, Sitka Northern Sales for cases of chips, AC Lakeside for the assorted bottled juices and cups to serve them. To those who donated home-baked items – Brave Heart Volunteers open house extras, Carol Denkinger, Paulla Hardy, Susan Padilla, Valerie Bright and Margaret Carlson. To Carol Odess for Sprite and napkins, and providing pizzas for blood bank staff and canteen hostesses lunch, and to Carol Odess and Josephine Johnson who served as hostesses in the canteen.
And a special thanks to all those who came to donate blood, making this long-overdue drive a great success. Your exceptional response to this drive has shown the blood bank team that trips to Sitka would be worth their time in the future.
Apologies to those donors who experienced long wait times due to the large turnout on Friday afternoon.
Again, thanks to all for you participation.
Jean Frank, coordinator,
Sitka Blood Drive
Electric Vehicles Panel
Dear Editor: Electric vehicles are becoming more popular in Sitka. There are now close to 15 EVs in town. This is up from about eight vehicles as of 2015, and about four vehicles as of 2014. That’s exponential growth!
Owners may have many motivations for buying an EV, but one thing is becoming very clear – EVs are becoming “hands-down” the most economical vehicle to own and operate in Sitka.
Did you know that you can buy a very nice late-model EV from the Seattle area for less than $10,000? (including delivery). Once in Sitka, your EV is likely to require almost no repairs, and cost you only about $100 per year for your “electric fuel” (after the City of Sitka tax credit). And your EV is likely to serve you well for years to come, given the short driving distances in Sitka.
How many conventional cars can claim a fuel and maintenance expense of only $100 per year?
Are you thinking about becoming an EV owner? If so, please consider attending the next meeting of Sitka’s EV group, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sitka Public Library.
Here we will have a panel of recent EV owners talking about their purchasing experiences, and answering your questions so that you can become an informed shopper.
We hope to see you there.
Dave Nicholls, Sitka
