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www.makeasceneak.com/nonprofitdirectory Families & Children: Family Promise Mat-Su www.familypromisematsu.com (907) 357-6160 A community response for families without housing. Family Promise Mat-Su, “FPMS” uses area churches for shelter while providing meals and case management to help homeless families move back into housing and self-sustainability. In addition we provide state funds(BHAP) for homeless prevention.
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.
Mat-Su Sertoma Club www.matsuhearing.org or www.matsuplunge.org “CAN YOU HEAR ME?” Sertoma stands for SERvice TO MAnkind. Mat-Su Sertoma is a 501(c )3 non-profit membership organization whose purpose is to support hearing health in the Mat-Su Valley through education, hearing testing and support of services that assist individuals with deafness and hearing loss. Mat-Su Sertoma membership is open to the public. Anyone can attend one of our membership meetings. Won’t you join us on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at the Windbreak (Trout House) 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sertoma’s Annual Scholarship Program … Apply: www.matsuhearing.org.
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
Valley Community for Recycling Solutions
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.
Pets & Animals: 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.
CONSERVATION: www.valleyrecycling.org (907) 745-5544 RECYCLING – It’s not just for hippies anymore!! Everyone in the Mat-Su valley can recycle. Drop your stuff off Tues – Fri 10:30 to 6 and Sat 10:00 to 3:30. Recycle cardboard, magazines, this newspaper and more at your community recycling center. Remember to REDUCE, REUSE, and then RECYCLE! Your community recycling center is located at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, next to the MSB Animal Shelter at the MSB Central Landfill. Volunteer opportunities available. Make a difference in your community! Check out our website for details, follow us on Facebook. www.valleyrecycling.org - Call us at 907.745.5544 with questions or comments.
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
Community Events HAPPY RUN Every Monday - 6PM Active Soles Performance Footwear 642 S Alaska St. Ste. #209, Palmer FREE Event - (907) 746-0600 activesoles@mtaonline.net MAT-SU CIVIL AIR PATROL MEETING Every Monday - 6:30PM Mat-Su Civil Air Patrol Church of Christ 1125 E Majestic View Cr. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 240-7888 605271@akwg.cap.gov TOASTMASTERS PUBLIC SPEAKING EVENT Every Tuesday - 6PM Toastmasters International, Palmer MTA Sports Center 1507 N Double B St. Palmer FREE Event GEEKS WHO DRINK PUB QUIZ Every Tuesday - 7PM Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill 161 W Parks Hwy. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 376-1314 www.tailgatersak.com tailgatersak@gmail.com OIL PAINTING LESSONS Wednesdays @10AM, Thursdays @5PM Valley Fine Arts Association Art of Oil Studio Cost: $30 per class PALMER COMMUNITY YOGA Every Wednesday - 7PM Jennifer Smith-Morris Level Seven Spiritual Center 439 W Elmwood Ave. Palmer Cost: $5 - (907) 982-4321 jennifer.yogamaitri@gmail.com MAT-SU VALLEY PEER SUPPORT NETWORK GROUP MEETINGS Every other Wednesday - 6PM Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) Lake View Professional Building 851 E Westpoint Dr. Ste. #306, Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 306-0041 WEEKLY PAINTING SESSIONS Every Thursday – 1PM Valley Community Recycling Solutions (VCRS), Valley Arts Alliance Valley Community Recycling Solutions (VCRS) 9465 E Chanlyut Cir. Palmer FREE Admission www.valleyartsalliance.com MAT-SU COMMUNITY CHORUS REHEARSAL NIGHTS Thursday Nights - 7PM Mat-Su Community Chorus
Wasilla High School’s Choir Room 701 E Bogard Rd. Wasilla Cost: FREE Admission, $45 Long-term Membership Fee www.matsucommunitychorus.org BEAU JEST September 7-30, 2018 Fri & Sat @7PM, Sun @2PM Valley Performing Arts 251 W Swanson Ave. Wasilla Tickets: $17 Seniors/Students, $19 Regular Admission www.valleyperformingarts.org
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com AUDITIONS 9/27/2018 – 10AM Valley Arts Alliance Sophia’s Café 9191 E Frontage Rd. Palmer FREE Event www.valleyartsalliance.com FREE CLOTHING GIVEAWAY 9/28/2018 - 9AM Wasilla Community Church 701 S Seward Meridian Pkwy. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 376-1565 itm412@gmail.com
MONDAY MARKET AT PALMER DEPOT 9/17/2018 - 10/29/2018 (Every Monday) - 11:30AM Monday Market at Palmer Depot Historic Palmer Train Depot 610 S Colony Way, Palmer FREE Admission - (907) 770-3532 mmatpd@gmail.com
DIY FALL COLD & FLU WELLNESS KIT CLASS 9/28/2018 - 6PM Just Botanicals NonEssentials 728 S Alaska St. Palmer Cost: $40 - (907) 414-3663 justbotanicals.sonym@gmail.com www.justbotanicalsak.com
FREE COURSE FOR PROSPECTIVE HOMEBUYERS IN MAT-SU September 19-20, 2018 - 6PM Alaska Housing Finance Corporation MTA Building 480 Commercial Dr. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 330-8277 dbuls@ahfc.us www.ahfc.us/events/
INTERNATIONAL FLY FISHING FILM FESTIVAL 9/28/2018 – 7:30PM International Fly Fishing Film Festival® - IF4™ The Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E College Dr. Palmer Tickets: $15 Adv. $18 @Door www.flyfilmfest.com
POSTPARTUM MAMA MEET-UP 9/21/2018 - 1pm Heritage Midwifery Heritage Birth Center - Palmer 2323 S Trunk Rd. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 746-6645 heritagebirthcenter@gmail.com www.heritagebirthcenter.com
10TH ANNUAL MAT-SU EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXPO 9/29/2018 - 10AM Mat-Su Borough Emergency Management Menard Sports Center 1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 795-3006 stephanie.bishop@matsugov.us
INTERNATIONAL FLY FISHING FILM FESTIVAL 9/21/2018 – 7:30PM International Fly Fishing Film Festival® - IF4™ 49th State Brewing Co. 717 W 3rd Ave. Anchorage Tickets: $15 Adv. $18 @Door www.flyfilmfest.com HITCHCOCK PIANO STUDIO MONTHLY MINI-RECITAL/TALK 9/24/2018 - 7PM Hitchcock Piano Studio 950 W Edinborough Dr. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 745-3134 MUSICALITY MONDAYS 9/24/2018 - 7PM Anaya Latin Dance Four Corners Lounge 8000 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Palmer Cost: $15 www.anayalatindance.com THE ALASKA HOME COMPANION: A FRONTIER VARIETY SHOW!
ALASKA AVALANCHE INFORMATION CENTER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXPO TABLE 9/29/2018 - 10AM Alaska Avalanche Information Center, Inc. Menard Sports Center 1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 255-2242 dmcghan@alaskasnow.org www.alaskasnow.org CRAFT SUPPLY & BAZAAR SALE 9/29/2018 - 10AM Linda Berget Palmer Train Depot 610 S Valley Way, Palmer FREE Admission PILATES CERTIFICATION October 1-6, 2018 - 9AM Balanced Body White Feather Wellness 10823 Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Palmer Cost: $450 each session 3whitefeather@gmail.com
AK TUESDAY NIGHT FIGHTS 10/2/2018 - 7PM AK Entertainment, LLC. Menard Sports Center 1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla Tickets: $18 Regular Admission, $30 Table Seats - (907) 232-3727 www.aktuesdaynightfights.com MATSU ASL CLUB 10/3/2018 - 2:30PM MatSu ASL Club Wasilla IDEA Office 705 S Knik-Goose Bay Rd. Wasilla FREE Event Check us out on Facebook MATANUSKA-SUSITNA COLLEGE’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 10/4/2018 – 6PM Mat-Su College The Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E College Dr. Palmer FREE Event THE SPOT: UNDER 21 MUSIC VENUE 10/5/2017 – 6PM The Spot MY House 300 N Willow St. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 373-4357 HEARTSAVER CPR & STOP THE BLEED 10/6/2018 - 8AM Mat-Su College Continuing Medical Education Training Center Mat-Su College 8295 College Dr. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 315-9391 ejmorrion@alaska.edu 2ND ANNUAL GUMBO COOK-OFF 10/6/2018 – 2PM Connect Palmer Church on the Rock 619 Scott Rd. Palmer Tickets: FREE Kids (Ages 0-4), $5 Kids (Ages 5-12), $10 Adults www.connectpalmer.org POKER TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER 10/6/2018 - 5PM Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School American Legion Post 15 1500 Mystic Cir. Palmer Cost: $100 Donation ksmith@valleycatholicschool.org SUDSY SLIM RIDES AGAIN 10/6/2018 - 6:30PM TUNDRA the Comic Strip 8295 E College Dr. Palmer Cost: $10 - (907) 441-1526 chad@tundracomics.com www.tundracomics.com
ALASKA CELTIC PIPES & DRUMS: RUMBLEDETHUMPS CONCERT 10/6/2018 - 7PM Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums St. John Lutheran Church 440 E Elmwood Ave. Palmer FREE Event, Donations Accepted jungstensgericht@yahoo.com www.alaskacelticpipesdrums.org 2ND ANNUAL DREAM BIG 5K 10/7/2018 – 1PM Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska Downtown Palmer Pavilion S Valley Way, Palmer Tickets: $10 Youth (Ages 0-18), $20 Adults - (907) 376-4617 25TH ANNUAL A CAPPELLA FESTIVELLA 10/11/2018 – 7:30PM UAA Concert Board Wendy Williamson Auditorium 2533 Providence Dr. Anchorage Tickets: $5-$20 www.uaatix.com HOLIDAY MARKET 10/13/2018 - 10AM Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 501 E Bogard Rd. Wasilla FREE Event www.goodshepluth.org HEROES & HEROINES CONCERT 10/13/2018 – 7:30PM Mat-Su Concert Band The Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E College Dr. Palmer Tickets: FREE Kids (Ages 0-5), $7 Students, $15 Regular Admission www.matsuconcertband.org SALSA ON SATURDAYS 10/13/2018 - 8:30PM Anaya Latin Dance Four Corners Lounge 8000 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Palmer Cost: $10 www.anayalatindance.com 9TH ANNUAL ROTARY UNCORKED 10/13/2018 – 6PM Wasilla & Palmer Rotary Clubs Menard Sports Center 1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla Tickets: $10 Raffle, $65 Adv., $75 @Door www.rotaryuncorked.com HEROES & HEROINES CONCERT 10/14/2018 – 4PM Mat-Su Concert Band The Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E College Dr. Palmer Tickets: FREE Kids (Ages 0-5), $7 Students, $15 Regular Admission www.matsuconcertband.org
Local Music
Contributed by Richard Christiansen Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums: Rumbledethumps Concert 10/6/2018 - 7PM Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums St. John Lutheran Church 440 E Elmwood Ave. Palmer FREE Event, Donations Accepted Mark your Calendars! Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums presents the Rumblethumps Concert at 7:00pm on Saturday, October 6th, at St. John Lutheran Church, 440 E. Elmwood Avenue, in Palmer, Alaska (on the corner of Elmwood and S. Eklutna Street, three blocks east of the Palmer Library)! The Rumbledethumps Concert promises to deliver yet again a brilliant evening of entertainment by an award-winning, local pipe band, with piping and drumming from the entire ensemble, as well as solos and smaller groups of pipers and drummers within the band. What a great way to spend an Alaska autumn evening! Based in Eagle River, Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums are very active in
the greater Anchorage area, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and throughout Southcentral Alaska, and have great fun teaching, performing and competing. The Rumblethumps Concert is one of several community concerts presented throughout the state by Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums, and is regarded by the band as a fun way to “get this party started” at the beginning of our performance season. Prepare to be amazed! If you love bagpipes or pipe bands, this concert is a must-see! The band is a prior winner in the pipe band competition at the Alaska Scottish Highland Games, and several members have won solo awards in piping and drumming, both here at home and internationally! Admission is free, but donations are always sincerely appreciated, with proceeds to benefit Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums’ Education Fund and the church youth group. Contact the band via email at jungstensgericht@yahoo.com, or phone 907-315-9838.
Local Music
Contributed by Drewcilla Holifield Heroes & Heroines Concert 10/13/2018 – 7:30PM Mat-Su Concert Band The Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E College Dr. Palmer Tickets: FREE Kids (Ages 0-5), $7 Students, $15 Regular Admission Heroes & Heroines Concert 10/14/2018 – 4PM Mat-Su Concert Band The Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E College Dr. Palmer Tickets: FREE Kids (Ages 0-5), $7 Students, $15 Regular Admission The Mat-Su Concert Band will bring the soundtrack of Disney to life at an October concert that features music from popular favorites including “Frozen”, “Star Wars” and “Mary Poppins.” The band is giving two performances to provide enough seats for what’s expected to be a popular show. The “Heroes and Heroines” concerts are at The Glenn Massay Theater at Mat-Su College. They take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 13th and 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 14th. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $7 for students.
Children under 5 get in free. Tickets can be purchased online at www. matsuconcertband.org. The movie “Frozen” continues to captivate young audiences – and play over and over in cars everywhere. The band will play “Symphonic Highlights from FROZEN” which features a variety of songs from the movie including “Let it Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” The band will perform selections from “Mary Poppins”, the 1964 American musical-fantasy about the nanny who saves a family that still resonates with songs to include “Feed the Birds”, “Chim Chim Cheree”, “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilicexpialidocious.”
went into the soundtrack of “Star Wars”, and the band gives a nod to the melodies of a galaxy far, far away. Other selections to be performed include music from “The Lord of the Rings” by Johan de Meij, “Hobbits” as well as “Seventy Six Trombones”, the march from “The Music Man”, played at the grand opening of Walt Disney World. The band will also play “Summon the Heroes,” written by Williams for the 1996 Summer Olympics, an inspiring and challenging piece that showcases the talented brass, percussion and wind sections. About Mat-Su Concert Band:
A “Beauty and the Beast Medley” includes several favorites from the compelling musical about the prince transformed into a monster who falls in love with a woman he imprisons.
Mat-Su Concert Band got its start in 1984 as the Mat-Su Community Band, formed by Matanuska Music owner Hank Hartman. Other directors have included Neil Long and Phil Munger. Current director Gleo Huyck is a retired music educator and private instructor.
The Richard Rodgers overture for “Cinderella” is a lyrical testament to Disney’s classic rags to riches tale of a fatherless girl who becomes a princess. Of course, the band didn’t forget “Star Wars”. Some of the most beautiful music John Williams wrote
Under Huyck’s baton, the band performs a wide-ranging selection of challenging music. The band this season numbers about 70 amateur musicians who assemble every Monday night for rehearsals at Palmer High School.
Music
Contributed by Valley Performing Arts Comedy Directed by Mathew Firmin Beau Jest September 7-30, 2018 Fridays & Saturdays @7PM, Sundays @2PM Valley Performing Arts 251 W Swanson Ave. Wasilla Tickets: $17 Seniors/Students, $19 Regular Admission Sarah is a nice Jewish girl with a problem. Her parents want her to marry a nice Jewish boy. They have never met her boyfriend, a WASP executive named Chris Kringle. She tells them she is dating a Jewish doctor, and they insist on meeting him. She plans a dinner party and, over the heated protests of Chris, employs an escort service to send her a Jewish date to be Dr. Steinberg. Instead, they send Bob Schroeder, an aspiring actor who agrees to perform the impersonation. Happily, he is extremely convincing in the role. Sarah’s parents are enraptured. Soon, even Sarah falls for Bob. “Beau Jest” opens September 7th and runs through September 30, 2018. Ticket prices are $19 regular admission, $17 seniors/ students. This hilarious comedy about family will be appearing at Valley Performing Arts, 251 W Swanson Avenue, Wasilla. Call VPA at 373-0195, visit our website www. valleyperformingarts.org or come by the office, Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm, to purchase your tickets. Be sure to follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ValleyPerforming-Arts. #valleyperformingartsAK
Local Film
Contributed by Chad Carpenter Sudsy Slim Rides Again 10/6/2018 - 6:30PM TUNDRA the Comic Strip 8295 E College Dr. Palmer Cost: $10 Tundra the Comic Strip and Nomad Cinematics are thrilled to announce “Sudsy Slim Rides Again” is coming to the BIG screen… again! Sudsy will be playing for one night only at the beautiful Glenn Massay Theater at the Mat-Su UAA College campus in Palmer on Saturday, October 6th at 6:30pm. Chad, the Tundra cartoonist and co-writer of Sudsy Slim, will be there handing out some fun and unique door prizes. Chad will also be sharing some interesting trivia about the making of the movie. You’ll also be able to meet some of the cast and crew, including Sudsy himself! “Sudsy Slim Rides Again” is an action-comedy-heist movie about two fugitives who break out of prison and, in an attempt to escape the town they’re held up in, kidnap the town’s most famous resident - the mummified body of Sudsy Slim. The backdrop of this story is the town of “Scratcher Pass”. A community that at one time boasted the largest asbestos mine in the world; but now, sadly, is reduced to trying to survive on its meager tourism industry - an industry built entirely around the corpse of turn-of-the-century con man, Sudsy Slim. “Sudsy Slim Rides Again” was filmed in Hatcher Pass, Wasilla, Palmer, Houston and Sutton. It was made IN Alaska, BY Alaskans, STARRING Alaskans. Rated PG 10ish. “Sudsy Slim Rides Again” has recently been chosen as an official selection in the Auckland, New Zealand Film Festival, as well as the Orlando Film Festival. Tickets are $10, and available by going to www.glennmassay.com or at the door. For additional information or to watch the trailer, go to www.tundracomics.com
Music
Poetry & Prose Contributed by Charles Dean Walker Dark with the moonlight, lighting my way to you. “So beautiful,” I say, in a whisper I say to you, in your ear. Joined together are we. Eternally under the starlight. You can feel me close, but not sure how so. I show myself as ultraviolet light to you, but you can’t see. I feel you, you feel me, warm in the touch. You pass through me, I see in you. You’re the lady, the woman I love, loved. Our love is eternity. I know you can’t live without me. I heard you say it so long ago. Under your breath in the sun. Felt so cold, but the day was hot. Only for, but not for me. I could feel it through you. In hand with you, you could feel it too. I know, that you know, that I never left you. Only got closer, but you wouldn’t even know. In that graveyard, you walk along the rows. With a rose in hand; it’s red, my favorite color. Honey, how’d you know? Did I tell you long ago? Looking for my name, but it wasn’t there. Not any longer. Time wiped it away. You still found me. From that warm-cold feeling. That you had that day. It brought you a moment of assurance. A smile tearful though it was, it was a moment of knowing. Knowing I was ok. The rose dropped from hand, to the stone. It rained while you walked away. Deep in the ground, there is a ring. It says, “Love is eternity.” A cold, dead, yet warm whisper comes from beyond, and it says, “I love you.”
Contributed by Marjorie Labriola She tells me, “It’s okay.” She whispers, “You don’t have to suffer in silence.” I begin to hesitate, Thinking of all the abuse, and all of the violence. So… I begin to shut her out, I start putting up my walls. But only to protect me from any further falls. I’ve been told many things, only to be disappointed, And all I know is that I’ll make sure it’s avoided. So? I crawl back in my hole. Just to hide away. To hide away from worry, and to hide away from pain. I never wanted to feel those feelings once again, but anxiety kicks in and I think about it again. Same place, same time, same experience, only mine. Some may never understand. I understand that as well. But all I wanna do is save what pride I have left and hold it in my heart and hands. Comforting myself, because it’s all I’ve ever known. Even as a child in foster care, I felt so all alone. Thirteen brothers and sisters, never really close. So, I learned to love myself, and be what I knew the most. I opened my mind. I learned from experiences. I am very visual, very opinionated. I am a kind person, although sometimes stern. But as many of you don’t know, I myself had to learn. Thinking of another time, another place, another day… Blocking out the thoughts of all the bad things and experiences going away. Imagining everything, being free like a bird, Flying far above what we can understand, or see, and even what you’ve “heard” about me. I am me. I am proud. I may have walls, but they can be broken down. She tells me, “It’s okay.” One day, I’ll understand. Until then, it’s in God’s hands. Thinking of another time, another place… Another day, another way… When all the pain turns to beauty, And I feel happy once again.
Art COURTESY OF BRITTNEY KAUFFMAN INKED FOX BY BRITTNEY COLORING BOOKS FOR GROWN-UPS inkedfoxak@gmail.com 907-315-3094
Poetry & Prose
Museum
Contributed by Richard Estelle On the homestead or farm in years past, there was often not much ready cash at hand. Credit was usually needed until fall crops came in and accumulated bills could be paid. For many, the only “hard money” income for grocery purchases throughout the year was the “egg and butter money”. Eggs produced by the family chicken flock could usually be sold to the town storekeeper for cash that could then be used to purchase sugar, coffee or other staples. Delivering the delicate and valuable eggs from farm to store was often a challenge with the vehicles and rough roads of the day. This month’s artifact offered one solution to that problem. The “Humpty Dumpty” egg crate apparently did the trick, complete with 15-dozen individually-padded compartments for the eggs, contained within sturdy wooden
Arts
sides and with a carrying handle on top. The case is 14” high, by 12-1/2” square, and made from wood slats joined together at the corners with long wire pins. The pins extend through the top where they’re bent over and can be turned to secure the wood-slate lid with its carrying handle. (In actual use, however, experience likely advised tying the lid on with a cord for added security, since the bent pins appear less than effective in keeping the lid on the crate when picked up by the handle.) Five layers of dimpled fiber sheets and vertical interlocking cardboard dividers enveloped and cushioned each egg inside. As with many items in our collection, the donor of this handy device is unknown to us. Its authenticity, however, is attested to by the minor remnants of straw and broken egg shell found within the layers. Stenciled on one of the side slats is REG US PAT OFF “HUMPTY DUMPTY”. Embossed on the other side is MADE BY OWOSSO MFG CO. OWOSSO, MICH & BENTON, ARK.
Auditions Contributed by Carmen Summerfield The Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show! Auditions 9/27/2018 – 10AM Sophia’s Café 9191 E Frontage Rd. Palmer FREE Event The Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show! 10/20/2018 -7PM Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry 3800 W Museum Dr. Wasilla Tickets: $15 Would you like to share your stories about the best, the worst and the silliest of everyday living in Alaska? Coming soon, the seventh season of The Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show! The 2018 Wasilla episode will be broadcast live on Saturday, October 20th from the historic Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (MATI) gallery next to Wasilla International Airport. We are planning an encore episode to be broadcast live from the Sutton Public Library in November. The Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show! is the Valley Arts Alliance rendition of a live radio broadcast from the golden age of radio, with skits, music and dance acts, similar to the popular Prairie Home Companion radio show on NPR. For those of you who haven’t seen or heard one of our episodes, The
Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show! features interesting stories by Alaskans about the best, the worst and the silliest of everyday living in Alaska. In previous episodes, we heard from The Roving Reporter, Guy d’North and The Sommelier, as well as news from Lake Willowa and Mukluk Radio. The 2018 season is our seventh year producing The Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show!, and we will continue with new music and dance acts, occasional impersonations of local celebrities and will be occasionally broadcast live by Radio Free Palmer on 89.5 FM. Auditions will be held Thursday, September 27th at our weekly meeting at Sophia’s Café, 11am until 1pm. Sophia’s Café is located at on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway at 9191 Frontage Road, phone 7459001. If you can’t attend the auditions, please contact carmen@ valleyartsalliance.com So, mark your calendar! The Wasilla episode of the VAA Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show! will be broadcast at 7pm on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry in Wasilla. Tickets are $15 and are available at the door. A cash bar will be open during the event. To see exciting scenes of these episodes, visit our archive pages at www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com
SEP 2018