Daily Sitka Sentinel

October 23, 2020, Community Happenings

Climate Connection: Feeling Change

By John Lewis

So far in this column we have looked at different ways of feeling climate change and what we can do in return. We last explored play and rest as ways to respond. But there is an even more basic response. And one that allows for us to be changed in the process. 

At its core, change is about being moved. The capacity to be moved by an other. The realization that the other, which is not me, can feel like me. And not only the human, but other forms of life. Feelings like hurt are a part of a truly universal language.

It is the understanding that everything feels. All life is capable of being battered and broken and depleted. It experiences stress and shock. It can have a sense that something is not right and clutch its loved ones close. These sorrows which feel so human and so personal, are actually shared. 

But the good news is that healing is also a shared activity. It is something we are capable of doing together. And if hurt produces sorrow, the universal feeling of healing is joy. 

But the hard part is that to move, to change, we must allow ourselves to be moved. To heal with, we must allow ourselves to be hurt with. To see and say yes to the pain of an other. Especially if we, knowingly or not, have played a part in how that hurt came to be.  

Because we are social creatures, we form groups and act together. This capacity has been key to our survival and flourishing. But those actions have consequences, intended or not. And sometimes those actions hurt others. And even if we did not cause that pain, we may bear a likeness to those who did. 

To be moved by is to respond. To allow oneself to be changed by an other is to become response-able. To be able to respond to change not of our own design. To be able to hear the call and respond to the request of an other. 

Next to stillness, being moved is the most universal of all gestures. It is a form of communication shared by all things, living and nonliving. Once we are able to hear the call, the challenge for each is to find where they are being moved. To gain some direction.

For some it may be moved to do more. For others it may be to do less or buy less or go fewer places. For others it may be a stepping up. And for others still, especially those who have held power, it may be a stepping down. A handing over of one’s dominion, real or imagined, so that all life can flourish. 

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John Lewis is a behavioral health professional and a member of the Sitka Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Baseball Club

To Play Nov. 1

Sitka Baseball Club will hold its Winter Ball program beginning Nov. 1.

Players ages 9 to 18 will meet in small groups based on ability and will be required to adhere to social distancing, wear a mask, and provide their own personal gear, the club said in a press release. Sessions will be held several times per week to work on skills training for the 2021 season.

More information is available at sitkabaseballclub.com or by contacting Coach Marx at marxlaw@gci.net.

Businesses, Nonprofits

Can Apply for Grants

The City and Borough of Sitka is accepting grant applications from Sitka businesses and nonprofit organizations that have experienced severe economic impacts due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Assembly has authorized expenditure of $3 million in federal CARES Act funds for the grants. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31. Grant awards are anticipated in November, and all funds must be expended by Dec. 30.

Applications for the business and nonprofit grants, guidelines and answers to frequently-asked questions are available on the CBS website, www.cityofsitka.org.

Applicants are being encouraged to use the downloadable forms as they include auto-calculation fields to help determine eligibility, and the potential grant amounts for the business applicants.

Contact CARES Act grant technician Rob Allen at rob.allen@cityofsitka.org or 747-1824 with questions.

Drug Take-Back

Day Saturday

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Take-Back Day will be recognized in Sitka 10 a.m.-2 p.m. outside of Sitka Public Library.

Healing Our People and Environment (HOPE) Coalition/Sitka Counseling is partnering with Sitka Public Library and Sitka Police Department to sponsor the event.

Community members are being encouraged to take their unused, expired and unwanted prescription medications to the event for free disposal.

Medication drop boxes also are available at Harry Race Pharmacy, White’s Pharmacy/AC Lakeside, the Sitka Police Department, and SEARHC Pharmacy. 

Also available will be medication disposal bags, in-home lock box safes for medication storage, NARCAN kits and giveaways. Call Loyd for more information at 747-3636.

Crafts Offered

To Preschoolers

Sitka Public Library is offering a weekly Grab ’n’ Go craft bag program during November with free crafts for preschoolers.

Bags will be ready every Saturday and participants can pick them up anytime during the week. Required registration begins Oct. 30. Space is limited. Call 747-4020 or e-mail Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org to register. 

Homeless Connect

Event on Nov. 10

Project Homeless Connect will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Crescent Harbor shelter.

Those who are homeless or who are concerned about becoming homeless can connect with services, pick up winter clothing and gear, and get a to-go lunch provided by the Salvation Army.

The event is organized by Sitka Outreach and Support. 

Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided. Social distancing will be observed. 

Those with questions, or wishing to volunteer or donate to the event, can call Julia Smith at 738-6336/eastergroupsitka@gmail.com.

Maritime Grind

Slated for Nov. 6

The Maritime Grind will be held at the virtual Sitka WhaleFest website, sitkawhalefest.org, 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6.

To watch the one-hour prerecorded show, sign up at the website before Nov. 4. The Maritime Grind is a production of the Sitka Monthly Grind in partnership with Sitka Sound Science Center and Greater Sitka Arts Council.

Call Jeanne at 738-8083, or Jeff, 747-4821, with questions.