Daily Sitka Sentinel

February 15, 2017, Community Happenings

Backcountry Skills

Workshop Feb. 25

Alaska Avalanche Information Center will hold a free backcountry skills workshop 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Centennial Hall.

Those who use any mode of winter travel – snowshoe, snowmobile, ATV, ski, sled – are invited to learn and/or brush up on skills to keep safe. Topics covered include ‘‘Avalanche Awareness,’’ ‘‘Survival and Rescue Equipment,’’ ‘‘Emergency Response’’ and ‘‘Planning and Preparedness.’’

It is sponsored by Sitka Mountain Rescue and www.alaskasnow.org.  

Scientific Facts

Topic of Talk

Forensic scientist and criminal profiler Brent E. Turvey, Ph.D., of the Forensic Criminology Institute, will present a lecture on “Scientific Fact, Legal Truth and Politics – The Role of the Forensic Investigator” 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at Sitka Public Library. The public is invited to attend.

The program is not suitable for children. Call the library at 747-8708 for more information.

Children to Make

Action Figures

The Sheldon Jackson Museum invites the public to a free family-friendly At Saxan third Saturday program to make action figures 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.

At Saxan is a program for children ages 6-10. Attendees will learn about dog sledding and Inupiaq sleds and make them.

To register or for more information, email Jacqueline.Fernandez@alaska.gov or call 747-8904.

Women’s History

Topic of Film

Sitka Public Library will pay tribute to the generations of women who have played an essential role in shaping the history of the country with a free screening of the historical drama film ‘‘Iron Jawed Angels’’ by Katja Von Garnier, 6:30 p.m. March 10.

The two-hour-long film focuses on the American women’s suffrage movement during the 1910s, and follows women’s suffrage leaders Alice Paul and Lucy Burns as they use peaceful and effective nonviolent strategies, tactics, and dialogues to revolutionize the American feminist movement to grant women the right to vote. 

The film contains mature content not suitable for children. A reading by Blossom Twitchell and refreshments also will be part of the event. For more information call the library at 747-8708.

Family Fiesta,

Auction Slated

Sitkans Against Family Violence will hold its annual Family Fiesta dinner and dessert auction 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at the ANB Founders Hall.

Offered are live music with Julie Schmitts, Kammie Daniels and Ted Howard, home-cooked food with vegetarian and gluten-free options, and a  dessert auction. The entrance fee is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10. The family-friendly event is a fundraiser for SAFV.

Individuals may consider supporting SAFV by donating a dessert. It can be dropped off at the hall by 5:30 p.m., or donors can call to have them picked up. For more information, call 747-3370.

Museum Closure

The Sheldon Jackson Museum will be closed on Tuesday, Feb. 21, in observance of Presidents Day.

Winter hours will resume 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The museum is closed Sundays and Mondays and observed state holidays. General admission is $3; visitors 18 and younger, Friends of the Sheldon Jackson Museum, and those with passes are admitted free.

Dating Violence

Awareness Noted

The Sitka Youth Leadership Committee reminds the public that February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

Statistics show one in three teens experiences dating violence by the end of high school – that’s over 1.5 teens affected each year.

‘‘Know the signs, of both physical and emotional abuse, to help yourself or someone in your life,’’ the committee said. ‘‘It’s time to start talking about dating violence.’’

Dating violence is very common, but remains a widely hidden issue, the committee said.

‘‘Less than a third of teenagers report a parent has ever talked with them about dating violence,’’ Sitkans Against Family Violence said. ‘‘This month, join in a national pledge to have a conversation with a teenager in your life about what it means to have a healthy relationship.’’

  Visit sitkayouthleadership.com or contact SAFV at 747-3370 for more information. 

SEARHC Marks National

‘Through With Chew’ Week

Seeking to raise awareness of the serious dangers of smokeless tobacco, SEARHC is encouraging Southeast Alaskans to join Americans across the country during Through With Chew Week, Feb. 19-25.

Smokeless tobacco contains at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals, the International Agency for Research on Cancer said. 

“The use of smokeless tobacco, including chewing tobacco, is a serious problem in Alaska,” said Edy Rodewald, SEARHC health educator. “Smokeless tobacco has serious health effects and is NOT a safe alternative to cigarettes.”

Alaska adult use of smokeless tobacco has ranged between 4 and 6 percent from 1996 through 2015 – showing no significant growth or declines, and youth smokeless tobacco use had declined significantly from 16 percent in 1995 to 12 percent in 2015.

“Chewing tobacco can be an irritant to gums and lead to gum recession. The sugar content of some products is a risk for development of dental decay and, most seriously, it can lead to pre-cancerous changes in the soft tissues of the mouth and is a risk for development of oral cancer,” said Brad Whistler, DMD, dental official with the State of Alaska Oral Health Program. 

Smokeless tobacco can also cause cancer of the esophagus and pancreas; increase risks for early delivery and stillbirth when used during pregnancy; and can cause nicotine poisoning in children, he said. 

“National sales of moist snuff – chewing tobacco products typically sold in cans – continue to increase,’’ Whistler said. ‘‘Adolescents are modeling the behavior of adults, including their coaches and national sports figures. Others are using these products in situations where you can’t smoke. They are a source of nicotine addiction, which can lead to the use of other tobacco products.”

Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line encourages individuals to make the step toward a tobacco-free life with its free support services. Flexible options include Text2Quit on smartphones, Web Coach for online communications, or individual services where individuals can enroll online to receive a free two-week nicotine replacement product starter kit.

Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit Alaskaquitline.com or Facebook.com/Alaskaquitline. 

Cancer Support

Group to Meet

Sitka Cancer Support Group will meet 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at Brave Heart Volunteers in the Pioneers Home Manager’s House on Seward Street.

The group meets to ‘‘share our experiences of the past, present and talk about the future.’’

Those in cancer treatment, cancer survivors, and family members are invited to come and spend some time with others who understand what they are going through.

The support group is sponsored by Sitka Cancer Survivors Society. Call or email Mary Beth with questions, or for a ride to the meeting, at 623-0842 or  sitkacancer@gmail.com.

Holistic Heart

Health Discussed 

The integrative health/healing group invites the community to a free seminar on holistic heart health 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at UAS Sitka Campus, Room 229. Crystal singing bowls will open the program.

The event includes two talks on the heart physiology and nutrition, followed by several breakout sessions on other heart-related topics. It is expected to last for a bit over two hours. For more information, contact Dr. Paul Bahna at 747-7749.