Daily Sitka Sentinel

July 30, 2021, Community Happenings

SJ Museum

Open During

Construction

The Sheldon Jackson Museum gallery is open during normal business hours through Aug. 11 while the museum undergoes a roofing project.

Museum workers will be adding tarps to some of the exhibits to protect them from harm.

‘‘To preserve the safety of our staff and visitors and minimize the spread of COVID-19, face coverings are strongly encouraged to be worn by all visitors and staff,’’ the museum said.

Staff is asking patrons to maintain social distancing of six feet between household groups, and pay for admission by credit card.

Summer hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Contact visitor services at 747-8981 with questions.

Climate Connection

We are all leaders here.

As we wrestle with year two of a global pandemic -  AND news of raging floods AND unprecedented fires - the idea of taking the ‘lead’ on anything seems impossible.  This situation is so big. It’s been pointing me toward the old idea of “thinking globally and acting locally.” For those born after the 1990s, here’s the recap: One person throwing a plastic bottle on the ground doesn’t seem like a crisis, but a billion people doing the same thing? More than once? That’s a BIG problem. Deciding to bring a reusable bottle is a local response to that global problem. It acknowledges that we are part of the problem AND the solution. These days we are told that individual actions don’t matter, but I disagree. Not only do our individual decisions STILL add up to global problems, taking responsibility for the problem can be transformational and empowering.  

For example, a year ago it was becoming clear that by hunkering down, we were having an impact on greenhouse gas emissions and air quality. We went cold turkey on personal and business travel, and it was estimated that we shaved 8% off our carbon footprint. It was that simple. Our actions as individuals made a difference and they still are…. emissions are now back up because we are choosing to fly again. Do we need the airlines to stop offering flights? Or can we empower ourselves to start walking the talk?

Similarly, in recent weeks, we’ve been reminded that keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe from a global pandemic comes down to some very small local actions – thinking about where our hands, noses, and our mouths are at all times. Washing and sanitizing every time we make contact with potentially unsafe situations and environments. Managing our masks to avoid contaminating ourselves. (Keep track of those unwashed hands!) Simple things with proven impact. 

Admittedly, those with responsibility for community safety haven’t communicated very clearly about this. It’s disappointing, but this can open up new paths for leadership. For example, I’d like to thank Crystal Duncan and Patrick O’Donnell for stepping up to say and do what others haven’t. Bravo!

We are social animals. Seeing others take action makes it easier to take action ourselves. It also lightens the load of anxiety to know that everyone is working together. The same is true of dealing with the problems of climate change. We can’t waste time waiting for others to lead. When any one of us acts, everyone around them pricks up their ears, and starts to look around. Then everyone around THAT small group wants to know what is going on … and so on. Even slight shifts in direction ripple outward, leading to subtle changes in the direction of the whole herd. Any one of us can respond to danger and get the group moving. We can all be leaders.

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Leah Mason is a member of the Sitka Citizens Climate Lobby and suggests now would be a good time to contact our legislative delegation to support action. #PutAPriceOnCarbon

Summer Reading

Program to End

The Summer Reading Program at Sitka Public Library will end on Saturday, Aug. 7.

Participants can claim their final reading prizes by that day. The name of the tween/teen winners of the summer program drawing will be announced through the library’s social media.

For information, call the library at 747-4020.

Babies & Books

Prize Reminder

Sitka Babies and Books and Old Harbor Books remind families who completed the Early Literacy Summer Reading Program at Sitka Public Library this summer that their earned coupons need to be redeemed no later than Saturday, Aug. 21. 

Municipal Election

Reminders Given

The last day to register to qualify to vote in the Oct. 5 municipal election is Sept. 5.

To register, or update voter registration records, visit: https://voterregistration.alaska.gov/ or stop by the Municipal Clerk’s Office in City Hall at 100 Lincoln Street, 3rd floor.

For information contact the Municipal Clerk’s Office at 747-1811 or 747-1826. Division of Elections Region I Office contact information is 1-866- 948-8683 or 907-465-3021.