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FAITH:
Connect Palmer Inc. www.ConnectPalmer.org (907) 746-9675 Connect Palmer is a Christ Centered Training Center and Housing for Women located in downtown Palmer. Connect Palmer’s two primary programs are God’s Work Design, and LIFE Connect. We also have Sarah’s House, which a Safe and Caring place for ladies, without homes, to live while they participate in our back to work and life skills programs. We also offer different community assistant programs, such as The Locker, to provide personal care and basic house hold cleaning items and Scarlet Tapestries which offers basic sewing skills instruction. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
OTHER Mat-Su Health Services, Inc. www.mshsak.org (907) 376-2411 Dedicated to improving the health of our community, one person at a time – through affordable medical, dental and behavioral health care.The clinic is a Federally qualified Health Care Center and we accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most other third-party insurances. For those who qualify, there is a sliding scale payment, based on household income. We offer early morning and evening appointments appointment. You can also contact our 24/7 behavioral crisis intervention line by calling the main number: 376-2411.
PETS & ANIMALS:
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Alaska Animal Advocates www.alaskaanimaladvocates.com (907) 841-3173 Alaska Animal Advocates is a non-profit group of dedicated volunteers who are devoted to enriching the lives of companion animals in Alaska. In order to do this, we will place homeless pets in loving environments, address medical concerns, spay or neuter, microchip, vaccinate, and offer training as is needed. We believe that every animal deserves a loving home, for his/her entire life and Alaska Animal Advocates will provide the resources to make this happen. In order to make this mission possible, we need the help of volunteers and foster homes.
FAMILIES & CHILDREN:
ARTS:
Denali Family Services
Valley Arts Alliance
291 East Swanson Ave. Wasilla, AK 907-222-2331 or eolivares@denalifs.org Denali Family Services provides therapeutic foster care to Alaskan children with mental health needs. If you are committed to working with a team, receiving training and implementing positive interventions to schoolage children and teens, we need your talents and skills. We are in search of professional, therapeutic foster parents who are willing to make a commitment to the children of Alaska by providing a stable home environment. For more information, please call or email our Foster Care Recruiter, Ernestina D. Olivares, at 907-222-2331 or eolivares@denalifs.org.
www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com Valley Arts Alliance, bringing the community together through the arts... We are a place for both new and established artists of all types— painters, sculptors, musicians, and those involved in the performing arts—to network and to experiment with new ideas and media. We work with local libraries, schools, museums, art councils, and music and art groups to create more venues for the arts, and to help promote art related events. Join us at our informal weekly meetings, every Thursday @ 11 at Sophia’s Cafe, 9191 E Frontage Road, Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Check out our archives www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com
Mat-Su Health Foundation
CONSERVATION:
healthymatsu.org (907) 352-2863 The Mat-Su Health Foundation offers financial and strategic support to well-managed 501(c)(3) organizations that offer services and practical solutions to significant health-related problems impacting the citizens of the Mat-Su Borough. The foundation also offers academic and vocational scholarships to Mat-Su residents who wish to pursue health and wellness related careers.
COMMUNITY: Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) Charitable Foundation www.mea.coop/mea-in-the-community/round-up meacontact@mea.coop 907-761-9300 Since 2011, the MEA Charitable Foundation has given grants to fund projects impacting libraries, playgrounds, seniors, veterans, recycling, at-risk youth, and much more. In 2018, MEA Charitable Foundation reached over $1,000,000 in contributions to the community with Operation RoundUp® Program! Organizational grants are capped at $10,000, individual grants are capped at $2,500. Please remember to check our website for requirements and submit your completed application — including financials!
Valley Community for Recycling Solutions www.valleyrecycling.org (907) 745-5544 RECYCLING: Be part of the solution. DROP OFF: The community recycling center is located at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, next to the MSB Animal Shelter at the Central Landfill. Follow the smells. HOURS: Drive through drop-off is open Tues – Fri 10:30 to 6:00 and Sat 10:00 to 3:30. Recycle cardboard, aluminum cans, magazines, this newspaper and more. Remember to REDUCE, REUSE, and then RECYCLE! ONLINE: Visit our website for more details, follow us on Facebook. To learn more, visit our classroom. Volunteer opportunities available. Make a difference in your community!
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: Mat-Su Regional Adult Basic Education (Nine Star) MatsuAdultEd@ninestar.com (907) 373-7833 Mat-Su ABE provides basic education in math, language arts and English as a second language (ESL), aiming to raise student skills beyond the high-school level in order to pass tests like the GED, enter training programs or college, and advance on the job. Enrollment is open to all adult residents of Alaska, year-round. Youth Employment for ages 16-24 not in school -- get a job, keep a job, advance on the job. Nine Star 300 N Willow 373-3006 (in the MYHouse building)
FAITH: Valley Interfaith Action (VIA) www.valleyinterfaithaction.org (907) 230-1006 To address quality of life issues for all residents of the Mat-Su Borough, utilizing the faith values of our members, developing community-wide interest and mobilization around quality of life issues. Through training, leaders address community problems by providing forums for discussion, researching alternative solutions, and working as facilitators with residents and leaders for institutional change.
HOMELESS YOUTH: Mat-Su Youth Housing (MY HOUSE) myhousematsu.org (907) 373-4357 MY House is a homeless youth drop in center with two for-profit businesses that train and employ homeless youth. Gathering Grounds Cafe is a coffee shop with homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and baked goods. Steamdriven is a trendy thrift shop featuring Steampunk items made from repurposed donations by our youth designers. Fiend2Clean and Young People in Recovery offer support for substance abuse recovery with activities and events. We offer transitional housing for qualified 18-24 year olds, Outreach services to connect homeless youth, organizations and groups to services, and access to Public Health and NineStar job/education services on site.
SOCIAL ADVOCACY: Wasilla Homeless-Committee www.wasillahomeless-committee.org (907) 521-2949 Wasilla Homeless-Committee is a 100% volunteer organization funded by private donations and regular fundraising events. Our sole purpose is to assist the homeless, those at risk of homelessness, and others who do not meet the criteria for help that is required by other advocacy agencies in the valley. Wasilla Homeless-Committee provides case management, housing search assistance, move in assistance, job search assistance, clothing, furniture, help with transportation, and resource guidance for homeless and disenfranchised in the Mat-Su Valley. Visit our website for application, or call 907521-2949. Find us on Facebook facebook.com/ wasillahomelesscommitteepage
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4TH MONDAY RECITAL & TALK 4th Mondays - 7:00 PM Hitchcock Piano Studio (907) 745 3134 MENARD CENTER OUTDOOR MARKET May 31- Aug. 11 – 10AM Menard Outdoor Market Curtis D Menard Center 1001 S Clapp St, Wasilla (907) 232-4129 DRAG RACING (POINTS) 07/14/19 – 10:00 AM Alaska Raceway Park 5599 Race Way, Palmer raceak.com DRAG STRIP TEST & TUNE NIGHT 07/17/19 – 4:00 PM Alaska Raceway Park 5599 Race Way, Palmer raceak.com CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP 07/18/2019 – 10:00 AM Primrose Retirement and Alzheimer’s Resources of Alaska 889 Elkhorn Dr, Wasilla (907) 373-5500 primroseretirment.com JILL CHOATE BASKETRY WORKSHOP 07-19-2019 - 07-21-2019 9:00 AM - Yule Farm LLC Across the Way Workshop (907) 982-7746 yulefarm.squarespace.com LARSON CHIROPRACTIC SPORTS PHYSICAL EVENT 07/18/2019 – 1:00 PM Larson Chiropractic 1001 E Bogard Rd, Wasilla (907) 376-2225 larsonchiropractic.com NASCAR/INEX OPEN PRACTICE 07/19/19 – 4:00 PM
Alaska Raceway Park 5599 Race Way, Palmer COMMUNITY CAR-DBOARD CITY 07/19/2019 – 5:00 PM Alaska State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer (907) 357-6160 familypromisematsu.org RESOURCES IN THE VALLEY & ANCHORAGE 07/20/19 – 9:00 AM Alaska Attachment & Bonding Associates AABA Office Library 619 S. Knik-Goose Bay Road, Suite J, Wasilla (907) 376-0366www. akattachment.org 14TH ANNUAL FIREWEED FESTIVAL 07/20/19 – 11:00 AM Yearly in July Trapper Creek Community Services Assoc., Inc. 9971 E. T.C. Park Circle (907) 733-7375 NASCAR/INEX RACES 07/20/19 – 6:00 PM Alaska Raceway Park 5599 Race Way, Palmer raceak.com ZUMBA IN THE PARK July 20 & 27 – 3PM Kabayan Inc. Filipino American Community of Mat-su, Wonderland Park 594 W Nelson Ave (907) 322-9463 kabayaninc.com GREAT ALASKAN CANNABIS BOWL 07-27-2019-07-28-2019 Settlers Bay Golf Course Trich Productions www.trichcorp.com
SEVENTH ANNUAL BEER & BACON FESTIVAL 07/27/2019 – 1:00 PM The Lakefront Anchorage 800 Spenard Rd, Anchorage DRAG RACING (POINTS) 07/28/19 – 10:00 AM Alaska Raceway Park 5599 Race Way, Palmer raceak.com WAYNE BURKHART MEMORIAL SLIDESHOW 07/31/19 – 2:00PM Level Seven Spiritual Center, Palmer 907-315-6661 FRIENDSHIP AWARENESS MONTH August 1-31, 2018 MY House (907) 841-2794 NASCAR/INEX OPEN PRACTICE 08/02/19 – 4:00 PM Alaska Raceway Park 5599 Race Way, Palmer raceak.com NASCAR/INEX RACES 08/04/19 – 6:00 PM Alaska Raceway Park 5599 Race Way, Palmer raceak.com 2019 YOUTH SUMMIT 08/06/2019 – 4:00 PM MY House, Wasilla The Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E College Dr, Palmer (907) 373- 4357 DRAG RACING (TOP ELIMINATOR) 08/11/19 - 10:00 AM Alaska Raceway Park 5599 Race Way, Palmer raceak.com
AARP PRESENTS GENERAL AND FRAUD PREVENTION 08-20-2019 – 3:00 PM Senior Education Wasilla Senior Center steele@mtaonline.net 907-376-2608 WORKING WITH SCHOOLS 08-24-2019 – 9:00AM Alaska Attachment & Bonding Associates (AABA) (907) 376-0366 www.akattachment.org CHRISTMAS FRIENDSHIP DINNER SILENT AUCTION & RAFFLE 07-21-2019 – 3:00PM Palmer Elks Lodge Raffle, Dinner, Auction Find us on Facebook
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Music Contributed by Todd Farnsworth Guitar strings die. Sometimes, a quick passing – often times a prolonged decline, till they are but a ghost of their past glory. But they do have a lifespan, and unfortunately, they can only take your abuse for so long. “Dead strings” can happen for various reasons, but I think it’s safe to say the simplest and most common reasons are corrosion/ wear and being overly stretched. Corrosion will typically be from oils and gunk building up, eventually penetrating the wrap wire on wound strings. Not surprisingly, you don’t want a nasty buffer betwixt the two pieces of metal (core and wrap wires). Plain strings (unwrapped) still breakdown and stretch, though they typically will last a tad longer. Overly stretched strings have quite simply been tuned too many times. Think of your strings as elastic, which is essentially what they become on a long enough timeline. You tune them to a certain tension, beat them with a pick or hand, tune some more and expect them to stay true for months. What happens is you continually stretch them, and they actually get thinner, albeit on a small scale. Those 10’s you started out with are closer to a 9 one month in; those 9’s, an 8. You see what I’m saying? Another part of how long a string lasts depends on how often you play and your playing style. For example, if you play with a heavy hand, heavy pick and every day for a couple hours, those strands of metal will only be reliable for a couple weeks, tops. And that may be optimistic. In contrast, if you play once a week for an hour, just running some finger style licks, you can probably get away with the same set of strings for a couple (or even a few) months. So, what can be done? There are things like coated strings and string cleaners to help reduce the corrosion aspect of string wear, but the stretching and abuse factor still remains. You could own so many guitars that you can’t possibly play them all very often, prolonging string life. And of course, there are the ever-present exceptions to the rule. But most likely, the simplest solution is to ditch the dead strings and change your strings often.
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One of the biggest reasons to change strings often is the sound and tone. You’ll likely perceive more volume and projection, as well as richer harmonics and overtones. Aside from that, you will gain tuning stability and liveliness – the opposite of dull, dead strings. In short, there’s a reason that professional musicians use fresh strings in the studio and touring musicians change strings nightly. One final thought on dead strings vs. new strings - you’ll want to play more. That breath of fresh air, so to say, will likely inspire you to play more, and that’s the best part! I know, I know, changing strings can be a chore, particularly if you have multiple guitars. Thankfully, your local tech can take care of that for you, if you wish. But regardless of the means, the end is worth the momentary burden. After all, don’t we all want the best for our babies?
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Arts & Community Contributed by Jill Farris 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and People’s Choice will be displayed with the entrant’s name at the Valley Community for Recycling Solutions’ (VCRS) fair booth on the Purple Trail, Miners Loop. Prizes will be awarded thanks to our sponsor, Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR). Judging Criteria: 1. Materials made exclusively from recycled or previously used materials (40 points) 2. Overall creativity of utilized materials (20 points) 3. Overall attractiveness of artwork (10 points) 4. Weather worthy and/or anchored to make it so (10 points) 5. Lightweight enough to be moved for display purposes (15 points) 6. No more than one square yard in width and length, height limited only by stability (5 points) Special Specifications: 1. No sharp or jagged edges. 2. Art should self-supported. Non free-standing art should come with hardware for mounting on the VCRS booth. (Please confirm guidelines for weight restrictions on all hooks). Exhibit Drop Off – Irwin Building: Friday, August 9, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday, August 10, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. After the fair, entrants are welcome to donate their entries to VCRS. VCRS will either display the items at the recycling center on the outdoor education trail or auction them off during a future fundraiser. In either case, the creator will be given credit for creating the item. Exhibit Pick Up – Irwin Building: Tuesday, September 3, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, September 7, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
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907-745-5544 www.valleyrecycling.org education@valleyrecycling.org alaskastatefair.org
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Contributed by Josh Fryfogle
Music in The Park, the City of Wasilla’s annual concert series, reached all new heights this year! Produced in cooperation by Michael C Marketing and Make A Scene Magazine, 2019’s concert series brought in an unprecedented number of attendees, and expanded the offering into a vendor fair, with food trucks and fun activities for all ages, too! Michael Consalo and Josh Fryfogle worked together to create the connectivity and community experience that was clearly well received. The Jangle Bees, Braided River, Those Guys, and The Jerry Wessling Band headlined the 4-week foray into local music and art, with additional performances by John Cook, Roland Olayvar, Long Nights Moon and Josh Fryfogle. With the musical performance being the centerpiece of this event series, the production invested heavily in hiring an incredible three-person sound engineering team with Mountain Sound and Entertainment. This made all the difference, not only for the performers, but for the audience. Many of the musicians made mention of the exceptional performance experience, and we were proud hear it! The audience certainly appreciated the sound experience.
Thanks to those community members that volunteered as well – many of you showed up at just the right time, when your help was needed. It’s amazing how things just work out, when we work as a community to make community happen!
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The rain during the first event didn’t stop us, with several hundred in attendance, and the following three weeks increased in attendance, with a total estimated attendance at nearly 2,000 people over the four Friday series.
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Music & Community
Contributed by Richard Christiansen 2019 Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums Band End of Summer School July 29-August 8, 2019 Mon, Tue & Thurs Each Week Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 18444 Old Glenn Hwy, Chugiak Early Bird registration (prior to July 22) is $150 Late Registration (after July 22) is $200 (907) 315-9838 jungstensgericht@yahoo.com “The Pipes, the Pipes are calling...” Does your heart skip a beat whenever you hear the skirl of the bagpipes, or the rattle of the drum?
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Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums would like to get you up and running through our Pipes & Drums Band End of Summer School. For a very reasonable fee we will provide 12 hours of instruction over the course of two weeks (Early Bird registration prior to July 22 -$150) to learn the rudiments of either bagpipes or drums (with a practice chanter, or drumsticks and practice pad that you get to keep!) Can’t read music? Never played an instrument
before? Or are you already a musician but want to try something new? Or did you try to learn awhile back, got frustrated and gave up? We can help! We have a passion for teaching and sincerely enjoy the opportunity to introduce people of all ages and backgrounds to our favorite music. We have students and members of our Band ranging in age from 7 to 78! And you don’t have to be Scottish to love the Pipes & Drums! We genuinely believe that if we supply the patience and experience, and you supply a little hard work and determination, you can reach your full potential to play Bagpipes or Drums! For online registration, go to Eventbrite.com and search for Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums Pipe Band Summer School Call 907-315-9838 or email jungstensgericht@yahoo.com for more information and to confirm arrangements. Late Registration (after July 22) is $200. Check in at 5:30pm on Monday July 29, 2019 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church to enroll in person.
Contributed by Josh Fryfogle Integrity. That’s the most important thing about this event. You might think that’s a strange way to start an article about a fun, outdoor event. Especially a cannabis event, right? I mean, there’s incredible performances by musicians from near and far, food trucks, yard games on a sprawling golf course... There’s a slip n’ slide - (biggest one in the state!) - making great use of the rolling hills of Settlers’ Bay Golf Course.
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Community Events We have legally-mandated testing facilities in Alaska, which test cannabis products, for this reason. With that in mind, the Trich team has put considerable thought and effort in making sure that the winners of their beautiful, oneof-a-kind trophies are only displayed for all the right reasons. An industry that only recently entered the public sphere, that existed on the fringe of the law, is now working diligently to do what other industries have been free to do for decades on end. The cannabis industry is proving itself.
But still, after talking with the folks at Trich Productions, and getting a view of their vision for the event, the centerpiece of the Great Alaskan Cannabis Bowl isn’t any of those things. It isn’t even one of their beautiful, Alaskancrafted burl wood trophies...
The Great Alaskan Cannabis Bowl is a lot of things, with fun being at the top of the list of course, but what the public may not see, behind the scenes, is a group of hardworking professionals who are striving to create safe, non-toxic, and high-quality products.
It’s integrity.
In years to come, when you hear about a winner of this contest, the Great Alaskan Cannabis Bowl, you will know that a GACB trophy is not acquired by writing the biggest check. When you see that stamp of approval on a cannabis product, you’ll know that it passed through a stringent and strict system, and was vetted by 24 of your fellow Alaskans, who could only judge that product based on it’s inherent qualities - and not some back door deal.
Why? Because this event, more than anything else, is a contest. They don’t plan to sell the accolades and trophies out the black door, either. They won’t be using this contest to heap praise upon their friends. They will be giving these hard-earned awards to only the best of the best. Trich Productions has taken special care to create a blind-testing environment. Here’s how it works: Contestants, including home growers as well as professional Alaskans, submit their cannabis flower and products. Then, the Trich team assigns each product a number code. Judges, four of whom were randomly chosen from the public, while the other twenty are known for their expertise but do NOT work for any licensed cannabis company, are judging the products over several weeks, without any knowledge of the origin or name of the product.
Yes, you’re going to have an incredible time, celebrating summer with your fellow cannabis enthusiasts; you’re going to hear incredible music, eat great food, laugh and play games... you might even find yourself rocketing down the biggest slip n slide in the state! But don’t forget what it is that you’re celebrating: the integrity of the cannabis industry.
EVENT FEATURES EXHIBITORS, AWARDS, 8 FOOD TRUCKS, 4 BARS, LIVE MUSIC, VIP LOUNGE, BOXING EXHIBITION, YARD GAMES, HUGE SLIP & SLIDE, MUD TUG-OF-WAR... AND MORE!
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All of this thought and effort is put into the contest in order to create the beginning of a public trust. It’s important in any industry that there be trust, and in areas of consumables, the public is right to demand that any industry check themselves proactively.
“We want it to be honest, unbiased, and beneficial to the industry as a whole, across the state,” said Aaron Coman, with Trich Productions.
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Fun & Games
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Poetry
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