Daily Sitka Sentinel

April 17, 2019, Community Happenings

Aquatic Facility

Opens Tonight

Mt. Edgecumbe Aquatic Facility will officially open its doors to the public tonight with an open swim, 5-8 p.m.

The public pool schedule is 6-8 a.m. lap swim on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 5-8 p.m. open swim on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The pool offers an eight-yard lap pool attached to a walk-in therapy area and diving well. A climbing wall, dual diving boards and a water slide are included.

Walk-in rates are: children under a year, free; 1 to 4 years, $1 if entering with a paying adult; children and seniors, $8; adults $10; and families $20 (limited to no more than six family members.)

‘Share More’

Campaign Set

The Sitka Youth Leadership Committee is committed to promoting equity and diversity within the community and is launching its Share More Campaign this spring to share community members’ stories.

‘‘In order to participate in the Share More postcard project, make a postcard to give the community a glimpse of your story,’’ the committee said. ‘‘Participate in the postcard project to share your authentic story and to build more connections, empathy and positive relationships among Sitkans.’’

Submission boxes have been placed at several locations in town. Once received, postcards may be posted anonymously on SYLC social media. 

Death, Dying

Series at Library

Sitka Public Library and SEARHC are partnering to offer Cupcakes and Conversation, a series of discussions related to death, dying, and bereavement.

Adult community members can participate in the first discussion focusing on the dying process 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at the library.

‘‘Bring your knowledge and experience, hear from others, and ask questions,’’ organizers said.

The meeting will be co-moderated by Dr. Debra Pohlman, palliative care physician, and Erin Matthes, health educator and licensed professional counselor specializing in grief counseling. Cupcakes will be served. 

Contact Erin Matthes with questions at 966-8720 or ematthes@searhc.org.

‘Mother Jones’

Musical Staged

A one-woman musical ‘‘Mother Jones in Heaven,’’ by Si Kahn, will be presented 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, downstairs at the Mean Queen.

Proceeds benefit the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association.

The evening of stories and songs with Mother Jones, the fearless American radical who fought against greed, power and corruption for the rights of working people, will feature Juneau’s Patricia Hull with  Jon Hays on piano.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors available at www.jahc.org and at the door.

SCH Foundation

Meets April 22

The Sitka Community Hospital Foundation will meet noon April 22 in the hospital’s classroom.

The future of the foundation will be discussed. All members are asked to attend.

Testimony Taken

At Sitka LIO

The Senate Health and Social Services Committee will take public testimony on Pioneers’ Home Rates and Renewal of Alaska’s Vaccine Program 3 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Sitka Legislative Information Office at Totem Square.

At the same time, the Senate State Affairs Committee will take public testimony on Absentee Voting and Sexual Assault legislation.  

Sign up to testify beginning at 2:30 p.m. Call the Sitka LIO at 747-6276 for information on how to testify or visit akleg.gov.

SHS Theater

Students to Stage

‘Fuddy Meers’

The Sitka High School theater department will present “Fuddy Meers” by David Lindsay-Abaire April 19-21 at the Performing Arts Center

In this critically-acclaimed dark comedy, Claire, a woman in her forties, has amnesia, and every morning her husband and teenage son must fill in the facts of her life. Dramatic and comic plot twists reveal that none of the characters is who they seem to be, even to themselves. 

Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased at the door. The show includes mature language and adult themes. For information, call 738-5869.

Eco-Challenge

Set for Saturday

Individuals can put their wit, skills and teamwork to the test at an eco-challenge 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 20, beginning at the Sitka Conservation Society, above Old Harbor Books.

Join Sitka 4-H to compete in eco-themed challenges and celebrate the Earth. Sign up in teams of four or as an individual to be placed on a team. Call Kevan at 747-7509 to register in advance. Ages 5 and older are invited to participate.

Earth Care

Talk Thursday

Exchange students from China, India, Thailand, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Bolivia will host a community conversation on cultural perspectives on earth care 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi.

In keeping with the Earth week theme, organizers will open a cross-cultural dialogue with people from all corners of the world to learn about how different cultures think and care about the Earth.

Kik.sadi clan member Vanessa Brady will join the conversation to provide a local perspective.

The exchange students will share their own cultural beliefs regarding stewardship of the earth, some of the environmental challenges that their home countries face, and how an exchange in Alaska has changed and shaped their understanding of and concern for the natural world.

Sitkans are invited to ask questions and share their own ideas about earth stewardship in an informal gathering.

Tea and coffee will be provided, and everyone is being encouraged to take a dessert.

Attendees should take their own plate and utensil to reduce waste.

Emblem Club

VIP to Visit

Supreme President Denise Jalbert and Marshal Barbara Jalbert, from California, will visit Sitka Emblem Club 142 this week.   

A meet-and-greet will be 4:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, April 19, at the Elks Lodge. No RSVP is needed for the event.

Dinner will follow at 6 p.m. at Sitka Hotel. To RSVP for dinner by 4 p.m. Thursday, Elks Lodge and Emblem Club members can call 747-6326.

Pistol League

Completed,

Winners Told

The Sitka Sportsman’s Association has wrapped up its winter pistol leagues with more than 20 shooters participating, and named winners in each event.

In the rimfire division, Steve Ramp took first place, Chad Goeden took second, and Bill Peters took third. In the centerfire division, the first two spots swapped places with Chad Goeden taking first place, Steve Ramp in second and Robert Thom, third.

The next pistol league will be a women’s-only league starting in September.

 UAF Ichthyologist in Sitka

As Science Center Fellow

Dr. J. Andres Lopez has been named Scientist in Residency Fellow for April and May at Sitka Sound Science Center.

Lopez is an ichthyologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks where he holds a joint appointment as associate professor for the College of Fisheries and Ocean Science of Fisheries and as curator of the fish and marine invertebrate collections for the University of Alaska Museum.

He will give a Natural History Seminar Series talk titled “A Glimpse into Alaska’s Hidden Freshwater Fish Biodiversity” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at UAS-Sitka Campus, Room 229. 

Lopez will be in Sitka April 18-May 20. School classroom visits also are planned. Dates and times for other events will be posted on the Sitka Sound Science Center website and social media.

Lopez has a master of science degree in fisheries from the University of Washington and a doctoral degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from Iowa State University.

His primary research interests center on the evolution of fish diversity with particular emphasis on the timing and pattern of diversification of freshwater fish groups. To understand fish evolution, Lopez and his collaborators most commonly use genetic data to reveal evidence of past and ongoing relationships between groups, species or populations of fishes. 

Over the past 10 years at the museum, he has overseen the growth of fish and marine invertebrate research collections through collaborative relationships with state and federal agencies, as well as the integration of a historically important research collection previously maintained at the Auke Bay Laboratories in Juneau. 

As a teacher and biologist, Perez shares stories of the rich and complex history of fish evolution and of the cultural and technological developments that shape the ability to understand the evolutionary process.

Each year fellowships are awarded to preeminent scientists from across the country. The SIRF program, with support from the National Science Foundation and the National Park Service, brings them from across the country to Sitka for monthlong sabbaticals.For information or to schedule a SIRF event contact Will Peterson, SIRF director, 747-8878 ext. 9.

This Week in Girls on the Run

By Sitkans Against Family Violence

Girls on the Run is an empowerment-based program for girls in third-fifth grades, currently in its 11th season at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School. GOTR is more than an after-school activity; it is a program designed to bring girls together with strength and resilience and prepare them for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. 

Recently in GOTR, participants have been learning to stand up for themselves and others, and participants explored why it is important to be intentional when choosing and cultivating our friendships. Teams discussed the kinds of qualities one seeks in friends, and examined difficult situations that young girls can face when in a friendship. Here is what girls had to say about choosing friends:

–“It’s important to choose your friends because you want friends who are nice to you, not mean.”

–“People might hang out with girls who are negative because they think they would bring them popularity, or they’re scared of being picked on so they protect themselves in a negative way.”

–“If (you are hanging out with people who are) negative you can pick up on what they’re doing.”

–“I think some girls put others down because it makes them feel powerful, but in a bad way. If they change their mind about that and are a positive friend, then they are powerful in a good way!”

–“You like being their friend because they like you the way that you are”

Throughout this season, GOTR will keep providing the Sitka community with updates from the program. We also hope to give mentors and parents an opportunity to pass on skills from GOTR to the youth in your life! Here are some conversation starters for talking with kids about friendships. 

–What do you think “people pleasing” means? (Stop standing up for what we believe and alter our behavior in order to be liked by others). Have you seen kids doing this? Why is it okay to not be best friends with everyone?

–What does it mean to stand up for ourselves?

–What are the four key phrases to use when you want to stand up for yourself? (“I feel,” “When you,” “Because,” and “I would like for you to.”)

–Why is it important to treat others the way we want to be treated?

–How do we feel when we are with positive friends? 

Save the date for the final GOTR community 5K fun run at 10 a.m. on May 18. Stay tuned for more details. Girls on the Run of Greater Alaska is brought to you in Sitka by Sitkans Against Family Violence. Call 747-3493 for more information.

State of Sitka’s

Economy Discussed

Sitkans are invited to the State of Sitka’s Economy presentation by the McDowell Group 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at Centennial Hall Room 6.

It will include results from the recent Sitka business survey. Questions from the public will be taken. All are invited to attend.

For information call Garry White, Sitka Economic Development Association, at 747-2660.

Volunteers Sought

For Potato Planting

The U.S. Forest Service and Sitka Tribe of Alaska will be planting Maria’s “Tlingit” potatoes 10:45 a.m. Friday, April 19, at the Sitka Ranger District office.

All are invited to help plant and learn more about the crop. Participants should wear rubber boots and take gardening gloves, a shovel, a bucket of seaweed if possible, and questions. For more information, contact Michelle at 747-2708. 

Public Invited to

Sing-Along Event

Sitka Community Pop Choir will host a sing- and play-along 7 p.m. April 19 downstairs at the Mean Queen.

‘‘Bring your voice or another instrument,’’ organizers said. ‘‘Join friends new and old for some classic pop favorites.’’

For information text Jeannie at 510-610-0075.

Author to Read

Pam Houston, author of ‘‘Cowboys Are My Weakness,’’ will read from her newest memoir, ‘‘Deep Creek’’ (W.W. Norton, 2019), 6 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Old Harbor Books. 

Holy Week Events

At Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Sitka Corps invites the public to special events during Holy Week.

A Good Friday service, 6 p.m.  April 19, will include dinner and a worship service.

On Saturday, April 20, a family fun BBQ will be held noon-2 p.m. An Easter egg hunt will be at noon. The Easter Bunny will be on site for family photographs. Attendees can take their own cameras  to take photos noon-2 p.m. The Salvation Army Little Store will have a big sale 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

On Easter Sunday, a family brunch will be at 10 a.m. and an Easter service will be at 11 a.m.

All are invited to attend all of the events. For information, call Debe Brincefield at 738-4323. 

Big Rigs Called

For April 27 Event

Big rigs are needed for 3 to 5 Preschool’s 7th annual Big Rig fundraiser event 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 27 at the Mt. Edgecumbe High School parking lot.‘‘We are currently searching for anyone with a cool rig, car, truck, boat, etc. that they would like to bring to the event to show off,’’ organizers said.

Those interested in taking a rig, volunteering at the event, or being a sponsor can contact Jennifer at threeto5preschool@gmail.com.

Also that day will be the third annual Big Rig Run for Education 5k and fun run. More information and registration is at a link on the preschool’s FB page, or register the day of the event starting at 8 a.m.

Pancake Breakfast

Slated for Saturday

Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4 will hold a pancake fundraiser 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at the ANB Founders Hall.

Breakfast is $10 a plate and proceeds will go toward sending delegates to Grand Camp in October. Everyone is invited.

ANS to Meet

Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4 will meet 5:30 p.m. April 23 at the ANB Founders Hall.

One of the topics of discussion will be the final call for nominations and voting for delegates to attend Grand Camp in October. The meeting is open to the public and everyone is invited.

Alaska Red Cross

Volunteers Sought

Andrew Bogar, Juneau office of the American Red Cross Alaska Chapter, will visit Sitka on Thursday, April 18.

Those who wish to volunteer with the Red Cross are invited to meet with him and other Sitka ARC volunteers  noon-1 p.m. Thursday at Sitka Public Library in the meeting room.

ARC activities range from disaster assistance locally and globally to community emergency preparedness, and communications. If interested, attend the event to discuss training opportunities, or call Ted Laufenberg, 623-7107.