KCAW Staff, Author at KCAW - Page 284 of 584

JazzFest! is time for teaching, talent

The Sitka JazzFest kicks off in February, and organizers believe they’ve once again found the right mix of talent and teaching for the event. This will be the 18th season of JazzFest. Many comparable jazz festivals place a lot of emphasis on competition and judging. Sitka’s JazzFest has an entirely different reputation.

Prop 1 opponents say it’s too soon to roll back oil tax reform

Supporters of the state’s new oil tax regime have launched a major campaign to defeat a citizen initiative which would restore the old tax. Former Sitkan Rocky Elerding traveled from Ketchikan this week (1-22-14) to speak to Sitka’s Chamber of Commerce on the issue. The 1995 Sitka High graduate's 20-minute Powerpoint echoed much of the tax reform debate that dominated the Alaska legislative session last year.

Sitka JazzFest connects marquee talent with students

Sitka JazzFest directors Mike Kernin and John DePalatis go over the lineup for this years' festival. February 6, 7, and 9 at the Sitka Performing Arts Center. Tickets $10, $25, and $45 at Old Harbor Books. For complete schedule and ticket information visit the Sitka JazzFest online.

Thu Jan 23, 2014

SE Dems seek applicants to replace departing minority leader, Beth Kerttula. Harris Air sues SEARHC over cancelled air ambulance contract. Ketchikan assembly appropriates an additional $150,000 to challenge state education policy. Sitka birders post high tally in annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Enrollment at SFAC off to a strong start.

For birders, 114 years and counting

Earlier this month, Sitkans took part in the annual Christmas Bird Count, now in its 114th year. Originally founded on Christmas Day in 1900, the venerable study is being put to some decidedly modern uses, as scientists study the numbers collected by generations of citizen-scientists to track shifts in bird populations and territories due to climate change.

New summer programs boost Sitka Fine Arts Camp enrollment

An expanded list of course offerings has helped push enrollment in the summer sessions of the Sitka Fine Arts Camp to a strong start. The camp enrolled over 700 students last summer. As of last Friday (1-17-14), camp director Roger Schmidt said well more than half those slots were filled.

Sealaska seeks new board youth adviser

Sealaska is looking for a young shareholder to take a seat on its board of directors.

Sitka man to serve four years for DUI, auto theft

A Sitka man will spend four years in prison for felony drunk driving and auto theft. 32-year old Walter D. Peratrovich will also pay a $10,000 fine, and over $9,000 for the loss of the vehicle he stole. According to court records, a patrol officer attempted to stop Peratrovich in the early morning of June 30, 2013, as he drove a 2003 Chevy pickup on Harbor Drive near the O’Connell Bridge. He was later apprehended when he drove the truck into a ditch on Sawmill Creek Road. The truck caught fire and burned.

A tapity tap island

Cheryl Vastola didn't hesitate when asked what kind of island she had washed up on..."sandy with a flat rock right by the water." We found out later that rock was the perfect place to practice her tap dancing. Cheryl was the castaway on Friday, January 17th. Here is a recording of the program, her list of 10 songs and the dessert she would bring with her, because it is after all a deserted island!

Broadway Night an evening of song

Shannon Haugland and Tracy Turner, with Sitka Community Theater, outline the bill for this Friday's Broadway Night fund raiser (6 PM Fri Jan 24, Odess Theater, $30 at Old Harbor Books, includes wine & hors d'ouevres). 12 performances in all.