Property Taxes Due,
Payment Options On
The City and Borough of Sitka property taxes are due Oct. 1.
Payments can be made by credit card, cash or check in-person at City Hall between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays; by mailing to the same address; by calling 747-1818; or by paying online through www.xpressbillpay.com/.
Property owners are reminded the city does not have the option of autopay for payment of property tax.
Bible-Based Class
Series by Webinar
Registration is open to attend a three-day Bible-based webinar series “Understanding God’s Will for My Life” 8 p.m. Sept. 27-29.
The link to register is https://bit.ly/3jO11vo.
Girls On the Run
By Sitkans Against Family Violence
The Pathways Coalition is very excited to begin our 13th season of Girls on the Run!
This after-school program for third- through fifth-grade girls inspires them to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates physical activity. Our curriculum has been modified to include physical distancing precautions and the ability to seamlessly transition between in-person and virtual programming as needed.
Girls interested in joining a team and exploring valuable lessons such as standing up for themselves and others and practicing empathy, inclusion, and acceptance can register by Sept. 26 at http://www.tinyurl.com/GOTR21 or pick up a paper form from the Keet Gooshi Heen front office. Scholarships are available.
Contact Emma at ethompson@safv.org or 747-3489 with questions. Pathways will offer Boys Run I toowú klatseen this spring.
‘Tlingit’ Potato Harvest
At Sitka Ranger District
A time-honored tradition in Sitka – the annual harvest of “Tlingit” (Maria’s) potatoes – is planned Sept. 24 at the Sitka Ranger District.
The Sitka Ranger District, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, and Pacific High School gardening class will observe American Indian Heritage Day (Sept. 24) and National Public Lands Day (Sept. 25) at this hands-on event.
Forest Service employees, Sitka Tribe employees and volunteers, and student volunteers will get their hands dirty at the Forest Service office as they harvest the potatoes they planted on Earth Day, April 22. Story tellers will talk about the traditions behind potatoes and gardening and others will share information on how to care for Tlingit potatoes, as well as their biology, history and cultural aspects.
Participants also will say goodbye to long-time Tongass NEPA Planner and “potato lady” Michelle Putz, as she assists with her last harvest.
“It could not be more appropriate or humbling than to commemorate these two specific days, meant to honor Native American heritage and volunteerism, with these much-appreciated partners through harvesting a locally important and traditional food,” said Sitka District Ranger Perry Edwards.
Organizers hope to hold a planting event next spring that is open to the community. To limit the spread of COVID-19, this year’s celebration will not be open to the public. In the meantime, those interested in learning more about Maria’s potatoes can view the Forest Service video: ‘‘Tlingit Potato Garden – Culture, Horticulture, Stories, History’’ at https://vimeo.com/416075040.
For information about the project, contact Raeanna Wood at 747-4202 or Raeanna.wood@usda.gov.
