Daily Sitka Sentinel

September 23, 2022, Community Happenings

Fitness Program

Set for October

SEARHC is launching a free October fitness program, “Movetober – Stay Healthy, Stay Bright this Fall.”

The goal is to motivate Southeast Alaskans to move daily – doing whatever type of activity that works for them, indoors or outdoors. 

Participants are to make a fitness goal and then track their daily active minutes. Each week entrants will submit their active minutes fitness goal and be entered to win prizes. Prizes range from outdoor reflective gear to light-up arm bands, and more. The longer participants stay involved in the program, the bigger the chances to win.

Kelsey Evans, a SEARHC health educator based in Klawock, hopes the program will see around 400 participants.

“We’re inviting community members from all over Southeast Alaska to hike, bike, walk, roll, run, dance or just move throughout the month of October,” Evans said.

The most recent SEARHC fitness program, “Move for a Cause” in April, saw more than 500 participants from 19 communities in Southeast.

To participate, register online at searhc.org/movetober. Participants track progress weekly throughout the month and submit active minutes to be entered into the drawings.

For information, visit searhc.org/movetober or contact SEARHC Health Educator Kelsey Evans at kevans@searhc.org or 907-755-4995.

Blood Drive

Is Canceled

The Sitka fall blood drive has been canceled.

‘‘Regretably, Blood Bank of Alaska has advised that their intended visit to Sitka on Oct. 21 and 22 has been canceled due to inadequate staffing to conduct mobile blood drives,’’ coordinators Jean Frank and Robert Hattle said.

They are requesting that a  spring blood drive be held in Sitka.

First Aid, CPR

Class in Sitka

The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will offer a mariner’s first aid and CPR/AED class 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 5 at NSRAA, 1308 Sawmill Creek Road.

The cost for the class is $125, including sales tax. Mariners may register online at www.amsea.org or call (907) 747-3287.

The class will cover CPR and automatic external defibrillators; treatment of choking; medical emergencies; trauma; environmental hazards; patient assessment; medical communications; drowning and hypothermia; and common fishing injuries.

Attendees will receive a U.S. Coast Guard-accepted, two-year certificate issued by the American Safety & Health Institute.

Colleen Meabon

Services Scheduled

A service and celebration of life for Colleen Barbara (Jimmy) Meabon are being planned this weekend.

A service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Sunday, a celebration of her life will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Halibut Point Recreation Area, in the large shelter.

Colleen died Aug. 28 in Sitka at the age of 73.

Cards may be sent to Heather at P.O. Box 496, Sitka, or 107 Lance Drive Apt. L.

Life Celebration

For Bertha Karras

A celebration of life for Bertha Karras, 90, will be 12:30-5 p.m. Sept. 25 at Centennial Hall.

Bertha Lucille Jacobs was born Aug. 20, 1931, and died quietly April 19 surrounded by family at her son Ernie’s home. She had suffered an aneurysm.

Those attending can take a dish to share, such as a veggie tray, fruit, cheese and crackers, reindeer sausage, sandwiches or salmon dip.

Correspondence may be sent to Cass Pook, 104 Kelly Street, Sitka AK 99835.

Life Celebration

For Ed Newberg

A celebration of Ed Newberg’s life will be held 1-6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Ed’s Shop, 688 Indian River Road.

‘‘Join us for a beer, food and many tales of Ed’s great life,’’ family members said. ‘‘Please bring a chair, if you are able.’’

Ed died March 22 at the home of a daughter in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.

Maritime Classes

Offered at UAS

UAS-Sitka Campus will offer an outboard motor maintenance class 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 27-29.

A Small Vessel Operator class also will be taught 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 4-6 .

Email sitka.advising@alaska.edu or call (907) 747-7777 to register for a course.

Blatchley X-Country

Meet on Saturday

Blatchley Middle School will hold a cross-country meet 10 a.m. Saturday at Sitka National Historical Park.

Runners are reminded to arrive by 9:15 a.m. for the 1.8-mile event.

Volunteers are needed at 9 a.m. at the parking lot near the visitor center to assist with the meet. Call Diana Fulton-Twaddle at 966-6304 or email twaddled@sitkaschools.org.

Coaches are Zosha Krupa and Andrea Colvin.

United Way of SE Readies

For Day of Caring Oct. 3

United Way of Southeast Alaska is will hold its Fourth Day of Caring in Sitka, Monday, Oct. 3.

The event, in which nonprofit agencies offer a service project to be completed, is returning after a hiatus since 2019.

It offers residents, schools, and local businesses opportunities to volunteer their time to help the community.

In the 2019 event, completed projects included those for Southeast Alaska Independent Living, Sitkans Against Family Violence, Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and the Fortress of the Bear. In total, 14 employee volunteers from SEARHC, Wells Fargo, GCI and Northrim Bank donated more than 55 hours of their time to complete the projects.

UAS-Sitka Campus will again be providing the location for the kick-off breakfast. Volunteers will receive a “LIVE UNITED” T-shirt, along with a complimentary breakfast at 8 a.m. Volunteers will then complete various service projects.

The day is still in the planning and coordinating stages. Both non-profits who have a service project needing completion and volunteers willing to donate no more than four hours of service to give back to their communities are still needed.

Agencies and business interested in participating can sign up online https://www.unitedwayseak.org/form/2022-day-of-caring. For additional information call Marcia, the Resource Development Director, at 907-463-5530 or email at staff@unitedwayseak.org.

Meet and Greet

At Sitka Cirque

A meet-and-greet is planned 5-8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Sitka Cirque, 205 Smith Street.

The open studio will give attendees time to play on the equipment, watch circus movies on the big screen, and sit by a fire pit outside. Attendees can discover more information about volunteer opportunities for the spring show themed ‘‘Under The Big Top.’’

Attendees can take a potluck dish.

Children elementary age and younger must be accompanied by an adult.  Call Frances Donohoe at 907-738-0721 for more information.

Farmers Market

Set for Sept. 24

The final Sitka Farmers Market of the season will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 24 at the ANB Founders Hall.

Vendor registration is open for the 15th annual event.

It is hosted by the Sitka Local Foods Network, a nonprofit working to improve Sitka’s food security.

The market’s focus is on local fresh produce, fish, baked goods, prepared foods, cottage foods, arts and crafts, and all products must be made in Alaska (preferably in Sitka or Southeast.) Cooked foods may use non-local foods so long as the food is cooked on site. The mission is geared toward food security and space is limited. Vendors who register food booths will have a higher priority over arts and crafts.

Heart Lake Hike

Set for Sept. 24

The public is invited to join Joanna Young, Sitka Sound Science Center’s scientist in residency fellow, for an informative community hike around Heart Lake 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24.

The free three-mile, three-hour, moderate-level hike will include information from Young on how Sitka was shaped by glaciers and will tell of her own research about Southeast Alaska.

Options include out-and-back at Heart Lake or a loop following Sawmill Creek Road. Hikers should take water, snacks, hiking poles, appropriate clothing and a camera.

Those with questions can contact Alex McCarrel at (907) 747-8878 ex. 402.

Benefit Cruise

For Rotary Set

The Sitka Rotary Club is partnering with Allen Marine to offer a cruise on Sept. 24. The boat will leave from Crescent Harbor. Participants are asked to be at the boat by 8:30 a.m.

The fundraiser is to help support Sitka Rotary projects. Those wishing to pay by credit card can call John Weitkamp, (818) 207-2993 or email him at jweitkamp@aol.com. Call Jeff Budd  at 747 4821 or email jbudd3500@gmail.com for information and how to pay by cash or check. Cruise prices are: under age 5 free; ages 5-12, $25; ages 13-20, $50; ages 21 to 64, $65; and 65 and older, $50.

Climate Connection -- Your Next Car

Road transportation accounts for 22% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and contributes to global warming.  The recently signed Inflation Reduction Act facilitates efforts to lower our carbon footprints by providing monies to households for purchases of electric vehicles. Over the next 10 years, tax credits and rebates are available for EV cars or light trucks, new or used. Public EV charging infrastructure is likely to be installed in Sitka by 2024 through the 80% subsidy available to our municipality through the Alaska Energy Authority’s administration of the Bipartisan Infrastructure law passed last November. 

What are the opportunities and constraints? The present tax credit up to $7,500 is now extended for new vehicles assembled in North America in certain price ranges, for individuals meeting income eligibility, and with manufacturing requirements. EV sedans costing below $55,000 and trucks or sport utility vehicles below $80,000 are subsidized. In 2024, the tax credit can be applied directly to the purchase price of the vehicle at the dealer. With respect to income eligibility, individuals making up to $150,000/year or couples making less than $300,000/year qualify for the tax credit/rebate. 

The Inflation Reduction Act’s manufacturing requirements are complicated and will be more restrictive in the coming years. Starting in 2023, a portion of the battery parts must be made in North America, qualifying the purchaser for half of the $7,500 credit. Battery minerals must be mined in either the U.S. or in countries with a free-trade agreement with us, qualifying the purchaser for another half of the credit. After 2024, eligible batteries can have no components made in China, Russia, North Korea or Japan. After 2025, no battery minerals can come from any of these four countries. These changing requirements are likely to be reflected in changes in North American vehicle manufacturing supply chain practices over the next 10 years. Both the Department of Energy and the Internal Revenue Service will post what vehicles will be eligible for the tax credits/rebates as manufacturing changes. 

Tax credits are also available for used EVs that are at least 2 years old and cost less than $25,000. The credit is up to 30% of the cost, capped at $4,000, and available with an income eligibility of up to $75,000 for individuals, $112,500 for single heads of households, and $150,000 for couples. No requirements for U.S. manufacture or origin of batteries or minerals exist for used EVs. As for new EVs, the tax credits can be transferred to the dealer at the time of purchase starting in 2024. 

Newly acquired EVs over the next 10 years will lower carbon dioxide pollution and decrease maintenance and fuel costs, in comparison to vehicles with internal combustion engines. In Sitka, we will keep more of our transport monies local for clean hydropower instead of for barged-in fossil fuel. This increases Sitka’s resilience and decreases our cost of living in the face of geopolitical stresses and climate change.

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Kay Kreiss, Transition Sitka