PAGE 2 www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
Entertainment
JULY 2015
Enter Once a Day June 22 – September 4 Palmer, Alaska – The Alaska State Fair will award a total of 12 prizes in the Dig In and Win Sweepstakes, which begins today, June 22, and runs through September 4.
Individuals can enter once a day from the Fair’s Facebook page, facebook.com/alaskastatefair, or the Fair website, alaskastatefair. org. Participants can earn one bonus entry if they send a Tweet, and another bonus entry for every Facebook friend who enters.
The weekly prize packages include: • 2 Meet & greets to one of the Fair’s AT&T Concert Series shows* • 2 Reserved admission tickets to that concert • 2 Daily Fair admission tickets • 1 Premier daily parking permit • 2 Meal vouchers** • Sheet of carnival ride tickets
The prize drawing schedule is as follows: • June 26 : Blood, Sweat & Tears, and Skillet • July 3: Daughtry • July 10: Garrison Keillor’s the America the Beautiful Tour 2015 • July 17: The Bellamy Brothers • July 24: David Nail • July 31: Portugal. The Man
• August 7: 3 Doors Down with 10 Years • August 14: Jim Gaffigan • August 21: Lee Brice • August 28: Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo • September 4: Kacey Musgraves The contest begins at noon today, Monday, June 22 and ends at noon on Friday, September 4. Entrants must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident to enter. Check out the official rules at alaskastatefair.org for more details. *All meet & greets are subject to change and/or cancellation. Sponsor
reserves the right to deny entrance to the meet & greets at any time. **Good at participating food vendors. For more information visit: www.alaskastatefair.org
PAGE 4 www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
Music The Valley Swing Band (but we play Latin, Country, & Rock too) is re-forming to practice Wednesdays 7-9 pm on the Glenn Massay Theater Stage (Mat-Su College) beginning August 19, 2015. We are looking for accomplished players (not beginners) who can read charts, have good intonation - and can swing!
If you play trumpet, bone, or sax you should contact us with your e-mail and phone number to set up a date for your "tryout"- 907-745-2854
If you play trumpet, bone, or sax you should contact us with your e-mail and phone number to set up a date for your "tryout". This music endeavor is not for college credit. We will be practicing for paying gigs, hopefully for the fall and holiday seasons. We'll also need a bass and piano - and reading vocalist. It will be fun - and the only big band in the Valley. Call Bill Tull at 745-2854 and email him at wftull@mtaonline.net. Join our Facebook Group at www.facebook. com/groups/valleyswingband
JULY 2015
Here are the practice dates at the Glenn Massay Theater for the next year: Wed 8/19/15 7:00pm to 9:00pm Wed 8/26/15 7:00pm to 9:00pm Wed 9/2/15 7:00pm to 9:00pm Wed 9/9/15 7:00pm to 9:00pm Wed 9/16/15 7:00pm to 9:00pm
www.facebook.com/groups/valleyswingband
Entertainment
8
PAGE 6 www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
Music
I was relaxing after work not long ago in early May when the phone rang.
JULY 2015
It was my friend Stu, a wonderful guitarist/singer wondering if I would be up for playing some shows with a new band he'd formed 5 months ago, a power trio. I quickly agreed even though I'd never played in a trio & always had that "4th member" in every band I'd ever been in. I was introduced to Jeff Bittles, the bass player after I'd set my drums up
I was relaxing after work not long ago in early May when the phone rang. It was my friend Stu, a wonderful guitarist/singer wondering if I would be up for playing some shows with a new band he'd formed 5 months ago, a power trio. a few days before the gig. My self doubts were quicky put to rest after the first song as these guys are stellar players and both are tenors, so they switch off singing lead and harmonize with each other, and the sound is very full & clean. So now after only 8 gigs in, I am offically "out of retirement" & "back in the game". In the short 5 months since the band started, Broken Toyz have played in the Valley and the Soldotna area and have been "Adopted" by the Northshore Alehouse & Grill. All 3 members have been playing well over 40
years apiece, so there's some serious collective experience on the stage, with talk of recording some originals in the future as all 3 of us write our own songs as well.
dance, funk, post grunge, pop, rock, blues, and even some country, you won't walk away dissapointed.
This is quite likely one of the best bands I've ever taken part in and I feel very priviledged to even be able to play live as there's twice as many musician's who want to play, but half as many establishments to play at as in years past.
Stu Plouvier: Guitars, Lead & Harmony Vocals
If you get a chance to see these guys, come check them out. With a big songlist with everything from newer
The Broken Toyz Band is:
Jeff Bittles: Bass Guitar, Lead & Harmony Vocals Ladd Holobinko: Drums, Harmony Vocals Broken Toyz will be playing in Kenai, July 10th & 11th
PAGE 7
Sports
VICIOUS MAMMALS ANNOUNCES ALBUM PAGE 10
JULY 2015
SEUSICAL THE MUSICAL WITH DENALI ARTS COUNCIL PAGE 26
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
WILD NORTH PHOTOGRAPHY AT TOWN SQUARE ART GALLERY PAGE 13
PAGE 8
Community Events Art THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK May 8th - 31st Valley Performing Arts, Wasilla 907-373-0195
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
WOMEN’S CONNECTION LUNCHEON May 18, 11:30-1:00 Evangelo’s Restaurant 2530 E. Parks Hwy, Wasilla $18, includes childcare Janet Faiks/Stonecroft Ministries 907-892-8482 10TH ANNUAL FIREWEED FESTIVAL Sat, July 18 - 11am-7pm Trapper Creek Community Park Mile 115.2 Parks Hwy. FREE Trapper Creek Fireweed Arts Council 907-733-7896 SUMMER OPEN DRUM JAM Tues, July 21 - 6pm- 8pm Klondike Mike’s Roadhouse BBQ and Saloon 820 S. Colony Way, Palmer FREE Percussion in the Valley 907-631-8079 www.percussioninthevalley.com 907-631-8079 GCI CELEBRATES 4G LTE IN MAT-SU WITH FREE SUMMER BBQ Thu, July 23 - 11am-2pm GCI Wasilla Store (Located in Target shopping center) 1879 E. Parks Highway Wasilla FREE 907-373-2288
JULY 2015
JIM LASITER WITH GARY SLOAN July 24, August 14, 15, 21 &28 6:30pm-9:30pm Last Frontier Brewing Co. 222 N. Boundary St Wasilla FREE 907-357-7200 MATI SUMMER CRAFT BAZAAR Sat, July 25 - 10am-5pm Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry 3800 W Museum Drive, Mile 47 Parks Hwy FREE Admission 907-376-1211
QUILTS ON A LINE Sat, August 1 - 12pm-3pm Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry 3800 W Museum Drive, Mile 47 Parks Hwy FREE Event 907-376-1211 www.museumofalaska.org CELEBRATE WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK August 1st - 10am-2pm Wonderland Park Pavillion, Wasilla FREE - 907-376-4080 MARVELOUS MISSION WEEKENDINTERNATIONAL DINNER POTLUCK Sat, Aug 1 - 6pm Wasilla Lake Church of the Nazarene 2001 E Palmer Wasilla Hwy FREE 907-376-5439 www.wasillalakechurch.org MARVELOUS MISSION WEEKEND-PUPPET SHOW AND PARADE OF FLAGS OF THE NATIONS Sun, Aug 2 - 9:45am - Noon Wasilla Lake Church of the Nazarene 2001 E Palmer Wasilla Hwy FREE - 907-376-5439 www.wasillalakechurch.org FREE LECTURE/SEMINAR: MANAGING YOUR LIFE Tues, August 4 - 6:15 - 8pm Valley Center for Recycling Solutions - Classroom 9465 E. Chanlyut Circle, Palmer FREE Space is limited. Please RSVP Sarah Welton, PhD/ Alpha Counseling and Education Services 907-373-5595 SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL Thursday, August 6 - Saturday, August 8 7:30 to 9:30 pm Sheldon Community Arts Hangar Downtown Talkeetna $6 youth, $10 - $15 adults http://denaliartscouncil.org Denali Arts Council, Denali Drama, & Music Academy 907-733-7929
WOMEN’S CONNECTION LUNCHEON: “AGAINST ALL ODDS” WITH JUDGE PAMELA WASHINGTON Mon., August 17 - Noon to 1:30 pm Evangelos Restaurant 2530 E. Parks Hwy, Wasilla $18 includes childcare Stonecroft Ministries/Janet Faiks 907-892-8482 VICIOUS MAMMALS TOUR DATES: 7/31 – Anchorage, AK @ The Gaslight 8/1 – Big Lake, AK @ Crooked Lake 8/7 – Wasilla, AK @ Wonderland Park 8/8 – Fairbanks, AK @ College Coffee House 8/8 – Fairbanks, AK @ Treasure Island ALASKA STATE FAIR Sat, Aug 27th - September 7th www.alaskastatefair.org BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS FEATURING BO BICE Kendall Toyota of Anchorage Borealis Theatre Alaska State Fair 2015 Thursday, August 27, 2015 - 7:00pm SKILLET Kendall Toyota of Anchorage Borealis Theatre Alaska State Fair 2015 Friday, August 28, 2015 - 7:00pm DAUGHTRY Kendall Toyota of Anchorage Borealis Theatre Alaska State Fair 2015 Saturday, August 29, 2015 - 7:00pm
Madd Matters CUSTOM MATTING, FRAMING, AND ART SUPPLIES Get ready for back to school! We have a great selection of art supplies. 25% off all soft pastels
for the month of August.
Stop in and check out our latest frame samples and see what’s new hanging in the gallery.
10% off supplies 1088 S. Colony745-6045 Way - Palmer for all art students Tues-Sat 10am-3pm
BINGO AND PULL TABS Wasilla Senior Center 1301 S Century Circle Every Wednesday From 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm BINGO Card sales begin at 12:45 pm FREE to the public Wasilla Area Senior Center
MAT-SU TOASTMASTERS 889 N. Elkhorn Drive Wasilla, AK 99654 Located upstairs in the Pub Every Tuesday from 7:30am to 8:30am Mat-Su Toastmasters 907.841.9818 or 907.355.3039 FREE HEARING SCREENING PROVIDED BY MAT-SU SERTOMA CLUB First Sat Every Month 10am-1pm Wasilla Physical Therapy Deana Moore 761-5229
PALMER PUBLIC LIBRARY MAY:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, May 1-3: FRIENDS Book Sale at the library Friday, May 8th: Foreign Film at 7pm Monday, May 18th: FRIENDS Meeting at 7pm Saturday, May 23rd: CHILL at 6pm
The Palmer Alaska Job Corps offers tours for prospective students or parents or counselors every Wednesday at 2pm.
· This is the place to be if you are an employer and you want to hire a trained entry level employee—we will train to your needs. We can offer student workers or interns to assist with your business and have “real time” training.
Employers are invited to schedule presentation times to talk and guide students into areas of employment.
· This is the place to be if you are looking for meaningful employment and you want to make a difference by working with our wonderful students from all over the state of Alaska. · This is the place to be to help with community projects that also involve training, outreach, mentoring and public service involvement.
Tours are easily arranged for larger groups. COME SEE WHAT YOUR ALASKA JOB CORPS CENTER HAS TO OFFER! BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LIAISON PHONE NUMBER IS 907-861-8708 OR EMAIL HUNT.BARBARA@JOBCORPS.ORG
HEARTREACH CENTER, INC.
We are a life-affirming pregnancy resource center that exists to educate and encourage individuals and their families to make healthy life choices regarding their pregnancy as well as offer support as they make the decision to parent. We offer pregnancy verification, limited OB ultrasounds to confirm intrauterine pregnancies, pregnancy options mentoring, as well as parenting mentor sessions and limited material assistance for baby and mother. We primarily serve the Mat-Su Valley area, and offer referrals for available aid and services in the Valley and Anchorage areas. HeartReach Center does not perform or refer for abortions. Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10a-4p Contact: 373-3456 or info@matsupregnancy.com www.MatSuPregnancy.com
WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK CONTRIBUTED BY TAMMY MCGRAW
WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor August 1-7 2015 Breastfeeding and Work Let’s Make It Work The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action calls for global action and support for women to breastfeed and provide the ideal nutrition for their infants. This organization coordinates worldwide events during the week and this year the theme is breastfeeding and work. WABA encourages action that
supports women to combine breastfeeding and work – where ever that work may take place – paid employment, self-employment, seasonal and contract work to unpaid home and care work.
work or school and who will be away from their babies 20 hours or more a week.
In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, the WIC program will be hosting an event August 1st The Women, Infant and from 10am -2pm at the Children’s program (WIC) Wonderland Pavilion in supports women who are Wasilla. All breastfeeding breastfeeding by providing mothers, babies and their supplemental nutrition for families are invited to ather up to a year after baby’s tend. birth. We will be having light WIC also provides support snacks, live music, games, to nursing moms through a diaper derby and prizes. our breastfeeding peer Also, we would like to reccounselor program and ognize local businesses for supplying breast pumps their support for nursing for mothers who return to moms.
Please take a moment to visit our facebook page and tell us what business you feel deserves special recognition for their efforts to make it easy to feed your baby either as an employee or as a client. We will announce the business at the event that has the most mentions. We encourage everyone to support women in their efforts to breastfeed and work. YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THE ELEMENTS OF SUPPORT AT WORLDBREAST FEEDINGWEEK.ORG
JULY 2015
Community Events
· This is the place to be if you are between 16 and 24 years old, and you are looking to become credentialed and trained in a viable career.
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
LIVING WELL ALASKA, MAKING BETTER CHOICES WHILE LIVING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS Wasilla Area Senior Center 1301 S. Century Circle Wasilla, Alaska 99654 Every Tuesday from November 4 thru December 16 at 1pm FREE
Non-Profits YOUR ALASKA JOB CORPS PROGRAM LOCATED IN BEAUTIFUL PALMER, ALASKA
PAGE 9
NON-DENOMINATIONAL BIBLE STUDY Wasilla Area Senior Center 1301 S. Century Circle Wasilla, Alaska 99654 Every Wednesday from 10 to 11 am in WASI Meeting Room FREE - Wasilla Area Senior Center
PAGE 10
Music
VICIOUS MAMMALS ANNOUNCES ALBUM
“SWITCHBLADE BALLERINA” AND ALASKA TOUR DATES
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
LISTEN TO NEW SONGS ON VICIOUSMAMMALS.COM Alaskan rock band VICIOUS MAMMALS are pleased to announce the release of their debut album Switchblade Ballerina, out July 28, 2015. The band will kick off a tour of their home state with a release party on July 31 in Anchorage, then hit the highway northbound to rock several other destinations. ViciousMammals.com is currently streaming two songs off the upcoming album. The shout-along anthem “Black & White Limo” lights it up with lines that troublemakers everywhere can pump their fists to, while the more contemplative piece “Wendy O.” pays homage to the famous punk heroine of yesteryear. VICIOUS MAMMALS TOUR DATES: 7/31 – Anchorage, AK @ The Gaslight 8/1 – Big Lake, AK @ Crooked Lake 8/7 – Wasilla, AK @ Wonderland Park 8/8 – Fairbanks, AK @ College Coffee House 8/8 – Fairbanks, AK @ Treasure Island
JULY 2015
Vicious Mammals sunk their teeth into the Anchorage music scene in fall 2014 and quickly gained recognition for their captivating live performance and their trashed-out brand of sleaze-punk rock n' roll. Armed with their new full-length record, the Mammals are gearing up to spread the gospel of real rock to ears near and far. Please contact ViciousMammals@ gmail.com for more info
PAGE 11
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com JULY 2015
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
8
PAGE 12
Music
THE WALK TOGETHER, ROCK TOGETHER FESTIVAL
JULY 2015
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
Contributed by Ryan Vukson
I always enjoyed playing shows in obscure lodges in the middle of nowhere since I started playing music. Me living in both Valdez & Tazlina at the time when I first started playing live shows gave few opportunities to play unless it was a lodge or a show deep in the woods powered by a generator. That being said the Tug Bar/ Goose Bay Inn seemed like a good choice for my style of show. It has a bar, liquor store, campground, restaurant, outdoor stage, and more. Kind of a self contained unit like the lodges I was always used to playing. The Walk Together, Rock Together festival first started off at the Tug Bar as a start and end point for a crazy idea I had a few years back. The idea was to get a pile of bands onto a bus, which I had no money to rent out, nor no gas to pay for, and play shows from lodge to lodge while also playing ON the bus. People would pay tickets to ride the bus and see a band play live while riding down the road (We took all the seats out of the bus) and then also be able to see a show at the next venue we came upon. I promise that mosh pits at 55 miles per hour is possibly one of the best things I've experienced in my life! Since the bus originally took off and ended back at the Tug Bar, it seemed to be where the fest should have its biggest night. At that point it didn't have a name. Just a crew of random drunks, punks, metalheads, and a few dogs camping out.
The fest supposed to be a one time event, but the next year my fiance, Amber, passed away. Her wish was that if she ever died was to have a party in her memory. I kept my promise to her and called up a few friends that were in bands and set up a show at "the Tug" that we dubbed "Ber-fest". I had a good response for the turnout of Ber-fest and people started asking when the next one would be. I didn't plan on doing another, but since i was hounded by many people wanting to help get it going again, I couldn't resist. Since it was a do it yourself style event, being that the bands helped organize it and also play the stage, it was dubbed "Walk Together, Rock Together". I felt a sense of pride keeping the promise going to my deceased fiance..... This year I decided to go bigger than ever! There are 30 bands playing, with the largest being The Casualties from New York City! They are one of the most known punk bands in the world and they are coming to play the festival for only one Alaskan show in the middle of nowhere, my kind of style! There are many festivals around the state which cater to bluegrass, country, & singer/songwriter styles of music, but this is the only punk & metal music festival campout in the state of Alaska! The tickets are extremely limited so the crowds wont get to big or rowdy and it is a family friendly event. I'm happy to say Amber's party lives on.....cheers my friends, see ya at the fest!
Town Square Art Gallery will be hosting Homer photographers Mary Frische and Tom Collopy, of Wild North Photography, at their Second Saturday Art Show on August 8th, from 1-4. Tom and Mary will be displaying their stunning photography and sharing their experiences exploring and documenting many different remote regions of Alaska. Since 1996, professional photographers Mary Frische and Tom Collopy have concentrated their efforts on capturing images of Alaska. The incredible beauty and diversity of Alaskan landscapes, flora and fauna have inspired them to advocate for the conservation of this wild, North American frontier.
In 2005, Mary and Tom began collaborating with National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska to produce static and traveling exhibits that showcase this extraordinary place. This partnership has resulted in 5 major exhibits as well as smaller displays in the airports at Cold Bay, Unalaska and Homer. Each exhibit has reconfirmed the need to retain these places as unique and necessary for understanding the place of humans in the natural world.
> Please join Tom and Mary at Town
Square Art Gallery, located in the Carrs Wasilla Mall, for an afternoon of visual discovery and refreshments.
> The display will continue for
the month of August For more information 907.376.0123 or www.townsquareartgallery.com
PAGE 17
Music
Northwest Tour and CD Release The Quiet Cull, Alaskan alternative rock quartet July 31st through August 14th 2015
After their debut LP release, Allegories In Rhythm (April 2013), the band quickly went to work on the follow up EP, What We Left Behind (July 2014). The Quiet Cull is currently set to release their new full length album This Cold, Rational World on July 28, 2015 and supporting the album with a two week tour of the Pacific Northwest.
This Cold, Rational World tour will begin with two home shows in
More information on TQC can be found on their website: thequietcull.com If you just want to give a listen to their music you can check them out on www.thequietcull. bandcamp.com or like them on facebook.
JULY 2015
...The Quiet Cull is an alt/rock quartet based out of Anchorage and Palmer...
This Cold, Rational World features 10 tracks, with a running time of approximately 45 minutes. All music was written and recorded by the band, unlike Allegories In Rhythm, which was written and recorded by founding member, Todd Farnsworth. Because of this key difference, the forthcoming LP has a vibe and sound of its own, something the band is especially excited to share.
Following will be six shows across Washington and three shows in Oregon: 08/05 at The Charleston in Bremerton, 08/06 at The Town in Tacoma, 08/07 at The Coo Coo Nest in Port Angeles, 08/08 at the 4th Ave Tavern in Olympia, 08/11 at The Eaden Ballroom in Grants Pass, 08/12 is TBA in Portland, 08/13 at The Ash Street Saloon, and ending the tour on 08/14 at The Fun Room in Seattle. Stage support includes Divides and various local bands.
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
The Quiet Cull is an alt/rock quartet based out of Anchorage and Palmer, AK. Likened to such bands as Thrice, Sparta, and Brand New, the sonic territory they cover is certainly dynamic. With a range of hard and heavy to mellow, somber and slow, TQC is described as contemplative and introspective.
Alaska—07/31 in Anchorage and 08/01 in Fairbanks.
PAGE 18
Theatre
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
Romantic Comedy Directed by Todd Broste Valley Performing Arts second production for Season 40 is a wonderfully written romantic comedy. Todd Broste, VPA stage veteran, will be directing this production. Audition times are: Saturday, July 25th from 1pm to 4pm and Sunday, July 26th, from 2pm to 5pm. Gillian Holroyd is one of the few modern people who can actually cast spells and perform real magic. She casts a spell over an unattached publisher, Shepherd Henderson, partly to keep him away from a rival and partly because she is attracted to him. He falls head over heels in love with her at once and wants to marry her. But witches are not supposed to fall in love, and this one little rule leads to a number of difficulties.
JULY 2015
Ultimately, the lady breaks off with her companions in witchery,
preferring the chance for normal love offered her by the attractive publisher. But before the curtain falls Gillian may loose him forever. You’ll be “bewitched” from start to finish! We will be looking for: 1 man about late 20s, 1 man about mid-30s and 1 man about mid-40-50s; 1 young women late 20s to early 30s and 1 woman about mid 50s or older. If you would like to read the play script, a copy will be at the VPA office for overnight checkout. Visit our website www.valleyperformingarts.org and click on the “Auditions” link for more information. Auditions will be held at Valley Performing Arts, 251 W. Swanson Avenue. Download the audition form at valleyperformingarts.org or 3730195.
ELEPHANT EMPATHY Contributed by Gene Kelly 2015
A trip to a zoo when I was about eight years old made an impression that would eventually result in a transition. Having an elephant take peanuts out of my hand left lasting empathy for a creature of scale and power.
Eventually watching cartoons of Dumbo flying about with his aeronautical ears led into Tarzan movies. Elephants are so large that when they indulge in ripe fruit in the fall it has time to ferment in their intestinal tract, getting them drunk. So when the natives in old black and white safari movies sprint ahead of a rampaging bull elephant wrecking their village it isn’t far off the mark. It isn’t possible to persuade elephants to be teetotalers like it is with the Irish. Reading Rudyard Kipling’s descriptions of elephants, watching Tarzan and Mr. Ed the talking horse nurtured an inner awareness that came to crowning completion while I read Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis. Franz described a rather ordinary citizen that overnight turned into a giant cockroach.
Perhaps I will in time go down in history as a pioneer in trans-species trail blazing. How many rhinoceroses are trapped in human bodies? When will an Animals for the Ethical Treatment of Animals nonprofit organization be formed? Could I as founder also be the president? Will I in time, through activism and organization, be able to establish transspecies studies departments at public universities? Could a career track open up for me in trans-species studies? Will declaring myself an elephant get me excused from jury duty and filing tax forms? Would Ring A Ling Brother’s Circus hire me? There are so many questions and challenges to be resolved. I do recognize I must be grateful that I am a bull elephant rather than a cow. I hasten to add that it isn’t from any measure of male chauvinism, so as not to clash with certain departments in universities. As challenging as the assertion of my trans-species identity is socially, it is not further complicated by trans-sexual identity issues. How much identity diversity can one individual and society at large absorb? I need a safe space like a living room where I can sit and be celebrated as a precious snowflake. And certain traumatizing trigger words like
It is imperative that I focus on acquainting the psychiatric community about the complexities involved in trans-species changes, so that they can facilitate the awareness of other animals that are confined in human bodies. Perhaps it is time to involve lawyers in drafting new speak, zeig heil laws to shelter the emotions of trans-species participants from the turmoil of criticism from the trans-species phobic. While the challenges involved in my identity assertion may at times seem overwhelming, it should also be rewarding to heighten social awareness and tolerance of transitional multispecies issues. I will likely be awhile determining whether I am an Indian or African elephant. Perhaps I can utilize the framework and concepts within multiculturalism as guidelines. Am I perhaps not Irish after all? Maybe I am Latino and haven’t yet realized it. That would explain why I find the study of Latin intriguing. Certainly Socrates was right when he said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Can new frontiers in place and space be established by pioneers like me? What will Brian Williams have to say about me? That should be a paramount concern. So much is owed to the original innovators in consciousness expansion during the psychedelic 60s. Will Western culture ever completely sober up?
JULY 2015
Maybe talking to Hindu yogis influenced him. It was Kafka that awakened a realization in me. Instead of being a stone cold sober, middle aged Irishman, I am in fact a trans-species bull elephant. I avoid fruit orchards because of possible legal complications. Now I understand the origins of anthropomorphism and my
My awareness of myself as a bull elephant began with that visit to a zoo. Now I have a mission in life convincing human society that recognition, sensitivity, inclusion and empathy must be accorded my identity transition from human to elephant.
“safari” must be edited out of conversations in my presence. It isn’t prudent to disturb a bull elephant’s peace of mind.
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
Knowing that I had been in a passing relationship with such an animal, however fleeting and simple, made me persistently curious about elephants.
phenomenal memory. It is so daring of the Irish when they use five syllable words. It can get them kicked out of society and sent to the principal’s office.
PAGE 19
Creative Writing
ONCE, PIONEER By Mark Arvid White
The morning sun comes quickening across the Matanuska River, baring all the riven vestige of a glacial way, shedding reds it flexes white, imperious its headlong foray, claiming all perplexities and posits of the day. It does not waver in the farmlands, spreading over furrowed fields, the lines of bean, of squash and onion, hulks of cabbage scattered round like severed heads of titans, green their manes vainglorious, and still it does not hesitate, does not falter at the gates nor heed the whispered roar of highway trucks, the laughter of the kids on Sunday streets who race against each other and the wind, relentless like the changing tides, their play sustained in a mower's whine, a sudden whiff of deep-cut grass, the front and back, the life-blood fragrance lingers, blended, mending with a certainty of charcoal smoke and sidewalks dampened by the rainbow pass of sprinklers that have overshot their mark. And still the morning sun is not delayed, illumination overtaking, circling, there, it gathers, there, that corner lot now overgrown with brush and cottonwood and birch, and there the swift un-tethered light in brilliance surges, and in silence shatters full against each leaf, the thousands upon thousands, all the slivered shards of sun assail the place of green and cannot penetrate. And all the million quivering leaves can only murmur what they know, that deep within that wooded place an old house peels and flakes, retaining just the strength it needs to meet each drifting day. Between the walls scents congregate, the un-swept dust, a bathroom stain, meager broth of chicken and a cup of Earl Grey, the pervasiveness of jasmine, cat, and age. In one room several blankets hang upon the windows covering like tapestries of Navajo, of Tartan play, the patterns of persistence they portray. Upon a table by a chair, a solitary lamp conveys the semblance of a softer sun whose glow reveals a shape of fingers twisting like the naked branches of a wintered tree, clinging to a thin pen, guiding scratches, peckings of a sharp beak on the rows of white, seeking for the few and fallen seeds. A woman, bent upon her place, a dress of yellow silking over all the frailty of a life, the folded spine, the spider's limbs held close and tight. She pauses, and the scratchings cease, a gently given breath recedes and quietly she looks beyond the confines of her room, her eyes the early blue of Texas skies, the white kitten paws of unpicked cotton, high the gleaming fields of southern wheat like swaying hands in a gospel church far to the edge of seeing. Something is moving there, long and black, riding the horizon, rising up like a beast of coal, shifting fast it heaves to claim the essence of the day. Distant specks become the panicked wings of birds,
in beaten flight now swiftly scattered. Now the darkness comes unbidden, swirling mass of sand and hate, the great shape folds itself, in blackness it regurgitates, the choked soil blown and waterless, it overfills each crevice in its wake, black the dust on cattle fallen, swept from houses, coughed from lungs, dust storms of a bitter harvest, black the sky 'till it is done. She shuts her eyes. The darkness fades. She looks upon a curving northern stream, which wanders there across its bed like the slow-speed swish of a lazy cat's tail, soft-red fireweed waving on the banks, and the mountains of a little girl's imaginings press up from the earth like pyramids of rock and ice and snow. The walls of a canvas tent are flapping, incessant in a summer breeze. An untamed field spreads carelessly near the lot he marked, where the house will be. Winter will come soon with snow enough to bury them, cold that will grip their bones until spring, winds that will howl like demons taking all they will achieve. Maybe it was just Roosevelt's dream. But a farmer and his wife might swap their dust for a place where blues and golds bleed together, and the lights just might dance green in the deepest sky of night, or maybe the dark horizon of a faraway seems somehow a little bit less black. In the old house, the scratches continue late into the making of the day, and across the sky from the star-touched east the hurtling sun plunges cold and deep, splashing the nearby Talkeetna Mountains in a very orange way.
PERCEPTION By Yvonne Moss
It will be me for all to see No matter where or when. Over, under, 'round or through; It all depends on you.
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
WRITING A MEMOIR: ASSEMBLING THE PAST Contributed by Rebecca Goodrich Some people have the kind of memory that doesn’t require looking through journals or trying to figure out what happened which year. That makes it easier for them to do a memoir. But that’s not me. Still, I thought, “Oh, this will be easy! This will be fun!” Those words should have been my warning.
Fortunately, my mother had saved most of my letters from that time, with dates, and I did have some poetry to remind me of those years, most of them also dated, some down to day, month, and year. One even had the hour that had inspired it! But there were so many holes to fill.
I’d worked several different positions for Aleutian Pribilof Island Association. I wondered if they still had my employee records, from nearly 20 years ago. And the answer was yes! It would take several weeks, but it was wonderful to re-read my employee evaluations. I was so good! [Sometimes a little overenthusiastic, but it made me happy to momentarily relive the good work and my friendly co-workers.] However, I wasn’t able to get my airline records from Alaska Airlines, and I wasn’t even able to recall what week I’d arrived in Dutch. I knew the month and year: April 1994. Nor could I get my medical records from the clinic on-island. [Most companies don’t keep records older than seven years.] I was hoping the Alaska Collection at the Loussac Library would be my ace
in the hole. And yes, they do have microfilm on The Dutch Harbor Fisherman, the weekly paper that I ended up writing for later. The microfilm machine isn’t the easiest thing to use, and I can only stand it about an hour or so at a time, but it’s a heck of a lot better than not having one! I’m almost done with the year of 1994, and have printed up nearly 80 pages so far, at 15 cents per page. In March 1994 I’d flown to Anchorage for the first time, to visit a girlfriend. In April I’d flown to Dutch to start a new life, building a houseboat to live on. But I couldn’t remember which week, much less which day. I was hoping the newspaper issues would confirm my memory or else guide my memory. As a writer and life-long reader, The Dutch Harbor Fisherman would have been a natural thing for me to pay attention to, even just arrived on the beautiful island paradise of Unalaska.
Quite soon it became obvious that I needed a way to organize all the pieces of paper. Five good old 3-ring notebooks, and two big boxes of page protectors later, I began putting things in chronological order. And then I saw I needed dividers, lots of dividers, so I could find things by month. [Another binder for chapter drafts. Even more page protectors.] I made some calls, and Arctic Office had the number of divider sets that I needed. Whew! They suggested I pre-pay over the phone to make my errand go faster. That was a good idea.
Research is hard work, and takes time. Lots of time. But my readers are worth it. Next: Maps and Timeline and Calendars
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
It didn’t take me long to realize I’d have to do some detailed research in order to tell the story of my four years in Dutch Harbor. I had no records, no photos, no scrapbooks from 1994-1998.
Inspired by the title of Ray Hudson’s 2007 Aleutian memoir, I wanted to get all the Moments Rightly Placed.
PAGE 21
Literature
PAGE 24 www. MAKEASCENEAK .com JULY 2015
Dance
A festival celebrating the National observance of how important dance is in our society.
Dance as an art form has been quickly growing in the state and especially in the Mat-Su Valley.
Booths, performances, free classes, and all highlighted by the world record attempts by Colby Nielsen.
With the completion of the new Glenn Massay Theatre, a beautiful, top of the line theatre, Dance Driven has decided to bring a dance festival to the MatSu Valley for National Dance Day. The National Dance Day Festival is a long awaited celebration being held in the Matsu Valley.
Glenn Massay Theatre 8295 E. College Dr., Palmer July 25th 11:30 - 4:30 For more information go to www.dance-driven.com
Come commemorate with Dance Driven and be a part of this event for all ages.
Enjoy vendors, sample classes of various genres, performances from Alaska artists, and watch local grown tapper Colby Nielsen attempt to break two World Tap Speed Records: "The Most Taps in a Minute" and "The Most Taps in a Second."
PAGE 25
Entertainment
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
On August 6th, your Alaskan equestrians will be polishing their boots, buckling their helmets and leaping fences to raise money in support of Wounded Warrior Project at the Alaska Hunter Jumper Association, Inc.’s 38th Annual Benefit Horse Show.
JULY 2015
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
8
PAGE 26
Entertainment
SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL
JULY 2015
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
Sheldon Community Arts Hangar in Beautiful Downtown Talkeetna August 6,7 & 8 (Thur, Fri, Sat) at 7:30pm. For tickets to "Seussical" and for more info on all other programs offered by the DAC visit denaliartscoucil.org What do you get when you cross beloved storybook characters such as The Cat in the Hat and Horton the Elephant, with the Tony award winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty? Why, you get "Seussical the Musical", a fantastical theatrical extravaganza where all of your favorite Seuss characters spring to life onstage. This summer the talented youth of Talkeetna’s Musical Youth Theater Co. (Summer Stock) have been working hard to bring you this Seussically- magical theater experience.
Talkeetna Summer Stock is an annual 8 week musical theater camp for students ages 10 to 18, which cumulates in a 3 night performance. The camp focuses on acting, improvisation, and vocal training as well as set design, tech and stage management. This year high school aged students have been given the opportunity to earn school credit through a cooperative effort between Denali
Arts Council and Northern Susitna Institute. The Summer Stock program was originally founded in 2000 by then director Lacey Meredith, who over the course of 8 years, produced half a dozen youth plays and musicals at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar.
Currently Summer Stock is directed by Nick Condon (of Denali Drama) and Sandy Shoulders (of Music Academy). Condon and Shoulders are the dynamic due that co-produced “School House Rock” in 2014, and are responsible for bringing you more stage magic this summer. Shoulders previously assisted Meredith in the 2012 Summer Stock production “Godspell”. "The amount of young talent in Talkeetna is truly amazing" says Condon. "It's truly a pleasure to work with such talented young people and see such a passion for the performing arts in this community."
As for this year’s show, Talkeetna’s young actors will portray your favorite Seuss characters in a vibrant display of color and lyrical fun, to the accompaniment of a live band. The Cat in the Hat, your narrator, will guide you through the moving tell of Horton the elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people known as Whos. Horton undertakes
TALKEETNA'S MUSICAL YOUTH THEATER PRODUCTION OF "SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK"
PAGE 27
Entertainment Prepare to be thrilled as you are transported from the Jungle of Nool, to Whoville, and finally across the sea to Circus McGurkus in a show that audiences of all ages will love. the challenge of protecting the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must also guard an abandoned egg that's been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. While Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him.
Denali Arts Council www.denaliartscouncil.org Facebook: http://www.facebook. com/denali.artscouncil
Prepare to be thrilled as you are transported from the Jungle of Nool, to Whoville, and finally across the sea to Circus McGurkus in a show that audiences of all ages will love.
About Denali Arts Council Denali Arts Council is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 community arts organization serving the Northern Susitna Valley of Alaska.
"Seussical the Musical” plays at The Sheldon Community Arts Hangar in Beautiful Downtown Talkeetna on August 6,7 & 8 (Thur, Fri, Sat) at 7:30pm.
It owns and manages The Sheldon Community Arts Hangar, a multi-purpose venue in Talkeetna, Alaska. Denali Arts Council operates eight programs: Denali Drama, Hangar Door Cinema, Green Light Circus, Focus on Kids, Susitna Muse, Talkeetna Artists Guild, Susitna Muse and Local Motion.
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
For tickets to "Seussical" and for more info on all other programs offered by the DAC visit denaliartscoucil.org
Location: Sheldon Community Arts Hangar, D Street in downtown Talkeetna, look for the big red building behind West Rib Pub.
JULY 2015
THE TALENTED YOUTH OF TALKEETNA’S SUMMER STOCK CAMP GEARING UP FOR THIS YEAR’S SHOW.
PAGE 22
To have your non-profit organization included in this free community resource list, please email your info to:
makeasceneak@mac.com
SENIORS
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
Palmer Senior Citizens Center, Inc.
The primary mission of the Palmer Senior Citizens Center, Inc. is to assist individuals age sixty or older, individuals of any age with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorders, individuals of any age on the Medicaid Waiver program and other eligible individuals in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough remain as independent as possible in the least restrictive environment possible and out of expensive nursing homes for as long as possible. Services include: congregate and home delivered meals, transportation, adult day services, care coordination, senior employment, family caregivers support, information / referral, chore services, senior housing, chore services, Better Choices Better Health classes, HELP program, activities and volunteer opportunities. 745-5454, pscc@mtaonline.net
Alzheimer’s Resource Agency of Alaska
As Alaska’s resource on Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Agency of Alaska (ADRAA) is committed to providing information, education and services for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) and their caregivers. We have served Alaskans since 1984, and today we help more than 5,000 people annually. As a non-profit statewide organization, we provide family consultations, care coordination, in-home services for frail elders & individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and education programs to family caregivers and health care professionals. We are your resource for information and can refer you to services in Alaska or the contiguous U.S. Sam Meneses, 746-3432, www.alzalaska.org
Valley Charities, Inc; Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Store Provides medical equipment to all income brackets in the Valley; provides clothing and household goods to Valley residents that are economically disadvantaged. John Rozzi , 376-5740
Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. (WASI)
A Health and Wellness Campus for Seniors on the Go! The goal at WASI is to assist and refer services for Seniors 60 and older so they can live as independently as possible for as long as possible. Some of the services provided are: Meals: Family Style Meals Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Center. Meals on Wheels home delivered meals. Housing: Independent Housing for low income and Aprket rate individuals. Optional Assisted Living Services Transportation: Partnership with MASCOT Bus $.60 per one way ride. Dr. visits by appointment Other Activities: Cards, Wii, and Painting at the Center Blood Pressure Checks Club50 Fitness Center, Strong Seniors Program ($5/8 weeks) Shopping Trips and other outings Valley Performing Arts Theater Visits And much more… call 376-3104 opt.2 for more information. Dennie Jaques , 376-3104
JUNE 2015
Mat-Su Area Partnership (MAP)
An organization of non-profit agencies in the Mat-Su Valley. MAP holds a monthly meeting on a Thursday at the Menard Sports Complex in Wasilla. www.mapartnership.org/matsu/
Mid-Valley Seniors Inc
Mid-Valley Seniors, Inc. Mid-Valley Seniors has 3 senior housing units-18 apartments and serves a congregate meal MonFri at 12:00pm. Home delivered meals served
daily fresh Mon-Fri, weekend meals are frozen. Transportation to Adult Day Services is available Mon-Fri 8:00am-3:00pm Come up to the Center for activities or lunch. Lisa Byrd, 892-6114 mvscadmin@mtaonline.net
FAMILIES & CHILDREN Divorce Care
DivorceCare is a weekly seminar/support group for men and women that will help you heal from the hurt of separation or divorce. It’s a warm, caring environment led by people who understand what you are going through. Learn practical information and gain hope for your future at DivorceCare Palmer AK.
March of Dimes Alaska Chapter
The March of Dimes is inspired by all babies – those born healthy and those who need our help to survive and thrive. Working together for stronger, healthier babies, in the Valley we work directly with the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. We also provide clinics and organizations with resources and information. We host a March for Babies walk in the Spring and High Heels for High Hopes Runway Show in OCTust. For more information contact our office 276-4111 or email JOdgers@marchofdimes.com.
week at a time...moving to new host church on Sundays. Applications are available on our website. 357-6160, www.familypromisematsu.org
The Children’s Place
The Children’s Place child advocacy center is a child-friendly, neutral facility where professionals from many agencies involved in the evaluation, investigation and treatment of child abuse meet to coordinate and bring their services to the child and their family. We provide child forensic interviews, medical exams, linkage to mental health providers, follow-up support and referrals throughout the investigation process.
The ARTs
Strengthens our communities by providing mentors to all children who need and want a caring adult role model – special friends who can help them expand their horizons, realize their potential and enrich their futures – changing their lives.
Alaska Center for Resource Families
Pillows for Kids Foundation
MYHouse Homeless Teen Shelter in the Matsu
is a non-profit that exists to provide services to unaccompanied youth, ages 14-24, in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The services we provide include, but are not limited to, hot meals, shelf stable foods, gas cards, transport to shelter, clothing, tents, sleeping bags, laundry, shower, hygiene products, street outreach, access to medical, dental and mental health care, vocational services and employment opportunities, educational advocacy and life coaching. Our youth center, The Gathering Place, is located at 300 N. Willow St in central Wasilla. Also on campus is the MYHouse Café, Gathering Grounds, which exists to provide employment for homeless and at risk youth, as well as our partnering agencies and businesses, Nine Star, Mat-Su Public Health Center and Car Deets (an automotive detailing business which hires homeless youth). To learn more, visit our website at myhousematsu.org or call 373-4357.
Family Promise Mat-Su
Provides a shelter for families without housing. We mobilize community resources and local congregations to provide compassionate care through shelter, meals, and case management to families without housing. Guest families are housed in area church buildings at night for a
Financial donation could also be mailed to the Big Lake Community Clothing Closet, PO Box 527069, Big Lake, AK 99652.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska
LINKS Mat-Su Parent Resource Center.
Regan Building 3161 E Palmer Wasilla Hwy. Suite #2 Linda Kupers, Administrative Assistant linda@linksprc.org - 907-373-3632
Clothing and footwear for people of all ages is available. Also, assorted household items as they are available. This unique program helps people locally. Donations are accepted, to further the program. Any money donated helps pay the rent for our location at 2955 Big Lake Rd., Big Lake, Alaska.
Open Wednesday’s from 11am-3pm All donations of quality clothing in good condition can be donated at the above address during regular hours of operation. Check us out on Facebook
Alaska Family Services is a multi-dimensional non-profit that has over 20 programs serving the Mat-Su Valley. Major areas are: domestic violence, behavioral health, WIC, family support, and residential for youth with emotional issues. Donn A. Bennice, Ph.D. 746-4080 - akafs.org We provide support and assistance to families with disabilities. LINKS provides support and trainings, parent to parent connections to mentor, information and referral, and access to library materials. These services are provided through one-on-one assistance and individualized workshops for small or large groups. Our vision is to ensure that every parent and family who has a child with a special need has access to information, education, outreach, and support in a culturally competent environment and to empower then to be advocates for themselves, their children, and their families.
Donated by local Alaskans, Big Lake Community Clothing Closet provides quality clothing to people in need, at no charge.
Referrals to The Children’s Place are made through law enforcement and Office of Children’s Services. The Children’s Place, 357-5157 www.alaskachildrensplace.com
Provides support, training and education for foster, relative and adoptive families caring for children that have been abused and neglected. ACRF also helps support the Mat-Su Grandparents Support Group in collaboration with Links and Volunteers of America. For more information about foster care and adopting children that are in the OCS child protection system visit our website www.acrf.org or call 376-4678 - bwoodin@nwresource.org
Alaska Family Services
Big Lake Community Clothing Closet
We provide little pillows of support and small scholarships that make a significant difference for local children to participate in brain-training activities such as gymnastics, snowboarding, skiing, skating, horsemanship, leadership, art, music, dance, martial arts, and robotics. Mentors and community members contact us when there is an identified need to keep kids, preschool through college, connected with good activities in our community. We plan to publish a book and CD/DVD of Evan’s “Little Pillow” song soon. Currently, we are selling washable, decorator pillows of all shapes, sizes and colors for kids and adults as a way of creating funding for the scholarships. pillowsforkids@gmail.com
The Moose Boosters Wrestling Club
A youth development organization that provides aid and funding to low income recreational facilitates and athletes at the high school level. Funding supports athletes who participate in wrestling programs while meeting academic standards. Michelle Heun - 355-7099
Set Free Alaska
Brief description about non-profit: Our children, friends, co-workers; there is someone we know who is struggling with addiction and destructive behaviors. It is the goal of Set Free Alaska to provide excellent, individualized services to our clients. Set Free Alaska is a Christian outpatient substance abuse treatment center that uses a mind-body-spirit approach to recovery. Our programs are designed to assist people in gaining freedom from the bondage of addiction and destructive behaviors. Set Free Alaska realizes that cost can be a huge deterrent to people seeking and receiving the help they need as well as a huge relapse trigger. Our assessments are based on a sliding fee scale. It is the goal of Set Free Alaska that no person be denied the services they need due to lack of financial resources. Our offices are open MonFri 10-6 and we are located on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway across from the AT&T Sports Center. Philip Licht, Executive Director 373-4732, www.setfreealaska.org/
Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums
Those interested in lessons, or in playing pipes or drums with Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums, please contact the Band by email at craigag@ mtaonline.net or by telephone at (907) 688-4196. The band’s website can be found at http://www. alaskaceltic.org , plus, we’re on Facebook! “The Pipes, the Pipes are calling...”
Radio Free Palmer
Radio Free Palmer is community radio serving the Sutton and Palmer communities as KVRF 89.5 FM and online at radiofreepalmer.org. On air since 2011, KVRF’s mission is to foster community involvement. Currently we produce great local shows on topics from health to mushing - and the list of programs is growing. Online we add important community events such as the Borough Assembly and School Board Meetings. Listen to Radio Free Palmer KVRF 89.5 for more community-centric news, music, sports, music or come volunteer to to help bring great radio programming to the valley. 745-8951, Manager@radiofreepalmer.org Radiofreepalmer.org and on Facebook and Twitter
Valley Fine Arts Association
VFAA was formed to teach techniques, and encourage fellowship among visual artists in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. we strive to promote a supportive attitude toward visual arts in our Alaskan community. We welcome beginners, students, part-time and professional artists who focus mainly on twodimensional art mediums and want to connect with other creative people and gain more exposure locally. Throughout the year, we inform our members about opportunities to show their work, participate in group events, view other local artists, and enroll in workshops. During the school year, we organize regular sessions for painting together and host monthly artist demonstrations. Membership in the Valley Fine Arts Association provides many diverse opportunities for artists. Check our website calendar at www. valleyfineartsassociation.org for upcoming events.
Mat-Su Community Chorus, Inc.
As Musical Ambassadors of The Valley, The Mat-Su Community Chorus has provided quality vocal music, in its various forms, for the benefit, education and enjoyment of its members and the surrounding communities since 1970. Our membership is open to the public, inviting all who wish to add their voice in song. We offer complimentary performances at public celebrations and deliver formal concerts twice a year. We are a 501(c)3, non-profit organization, currently with twenty-two members and we are looking towards expanding the organization to better serve the community. With the support from individuals, businesses and other civic
organizations we are able to grow our group by bringing the community together through music and to continue our standard of excellence. We meet Octember through Nov. on Thursday evenings at 7-9pm in the Choir Room at Wasilla High School. Nan Potts 745-8788 matsucomchours@gmail.com
Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums of Eagle River
Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums of Eagle River, under the leadership of Pipe Major Aja Stewart and Drum Sergeant Bryan Gonzales, are actively recruiting pipers and drummers, as well as those interested in learning Great Highland Bagpipes and Highland Drumming (snare, tenor, bass.) We would like to extend a cordial invitation to anyone who would like to learn to play bagpipes or drums, to FREE lessons with our Band. We are a grade IV competing, family-oriented pipe band established in 2005, and beginners of any age are welcome. Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums are very active in supporting the community in which we live. Our purpose is to advance the rich cultural heritage of Great Highland Bagpipe music, and to have FUN doing it! ACPD provides free instruction in piping and drumming, with Band practice to follow, every Friday evening at 5:00 and 5:45 pm at Eagle River Presbyterian Church, 12836 Old Glenn Highway, in Eagle River. Those interested in lessons, or in becoming members of ACPD, please contact the Band by email at Nov.gstensgericht@yahoo.com or by telephone at (907) 376-5060. The band’s website can be found at http://www.alaskaceltic.org
Mat-Su Concert Band, Inc.
Our mission is to promote, plan, support and conduct educational and cultural activities and opportunities for the benefit of the citizens and residents of Alaska. We do this by providing an outlet for the many talented musicians in and around our area to perform and a venue for the public to come and enjoy with us our music. Rehearsals are every Mon. from 7 to 9 p.m. at Teeland Middle School. For more information, contact Gleo Huyck at 746-0628. matsuconcertband@gmail.com
The Whirling Rainbow Foundation
Grandmother Drum International Peace Project The Whirling Rainbow Foundation is an international spiritual and educational non- profit organization which honors and celebrates the diverse cultural and spiritual paths of the human family. The foundation cultivates the universal teachings of inner peace, loving compassion, wisdom and understanding at the core of every culture and spiritual tradition. We are starting a Global Peace Sanctuary and Sustainable Community in Palmer. The GrandMother Drum International Peace Project travels the world as the international voice of the Whirling Rainbow Foundation. As a symbol of the heartbeat of love that connects all nations and all races, the seven foot, crystal inlaid GrandMother Drum holds local and global events promoting peace and unity through the universal language of music, dance, cultural and healings arts. White Eagle Medicine Woman (Suraj Holzwarth) Executive Director www.whirlingrainbow.com
Valley Performing Arts
We will be celebrating 40 years of Quality Live Theatre this season! VPA performs seven plays per season, beginning September and ending in May. We welcome actors, volunteers, program advertisers and play sponsors to join in supporting VPA, one of the oldest continuing operating community theatres in the State of Alaska. The VPA Summer Theatre Arts Program takes place June through August and are for youth, ages ranging from 7 to 17. The VPA Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony is held each June and our FUN-Raiser is in October. Purchase your tickets online or from our office. Check out audition dates and show times on our website. www.valleyperformingarts.org or (907) 373-0195.
The Valley Arts Alliance is a group of likeminded individuals who have joined together to encourage, sponsor, facilitate and support artistic expression. 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. www.valleyartsalliance.com
Responsible adult volunteers are always needed. 907-357-6437, www.meadowgates.com manager@meadowgates.com
Alaska Animal Advocates
Make a difference. Save a life! Alaska Animal Advocates is reaching out to the community. We provide everything that is needed to meet a dog’s needs. We ask YOU to provide the love. Contact Angie at 841-3173 or email at aaarescue@yahoo.com Check out our website at www.alaskaanimaladvocates.com
ANIMALS
VARIETY
The mission of the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center is to care for injured, orphaned and sick wild birds with the goal of releasing them back into the wild; and to educate the public about these birds and their habitats.
United Way of Mat Su was formed in 1987 to serve as a single, borough wide, fundraising agency, but we have grown to be so much more.
Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center
AWBRC, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is always looking for volunteers and donations. Volunteers are always needed for care of our resident birds, office and web assistance, fundraising and advertising. We will be undergoing a building project this summer, and can use carpentry assistance or donations of materials. Please visit our web site at http://www.akwildbird.org/ for further information about us, to volunteer or
AK Cat Kitty Rescue
is a local small kitty rescue. We specialize in litters of kittens, and our facility is designed that way. We will take in litters from the community, and will assist in getting their mom cat spayed. ALL of our kittens are up to date on vaccines, and have been spayed/ or neutered prior to adoptions. We are a 501c3, so any donations are tax deductible. If you are looking to adopt, or need help placing a litter, please call us! We are currently looking for help with computer type tasks, updating website, or updating our adoptions and monthly expences. AK CAT 907-232-4444 www.akcat.org
Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue (ADPR)
Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue is an all volunteer, non-profit organization formed for the purpose of rescuing homeless dogs and puppies. We have rescued dogs throughout Alaska, including various Bush communities. These rescued dogs are placed in foster homes, where they are socialized, vaccinated, dewormed, and taken to the vet to be microchipped and spayed or neutered. It is our goal to have an animal sanctuary, so that all adoptable dogs are given an opportunity to find their forever homes. We encourage individuals to volunteer for this very worthy cause. 745-7030 adpr03@yahoo.com
Alaska Assistance Dogs (AAD)
AAD provides service dogs to Alaskans with special needs (physical, physiological & mental health), and incorporates therapeutic programs into service dog training. AAD works with special education students at school, provides teen mentoring in community training venues, offers domestic violence/PTSD support groups, FASD/ Autism programs, and provides service dogs and support groups for veterans with PTSD and their families. Therapist on staff, and all trainers are certified by the founder of the service dog concept, Dr. Bonnie Bergin. Carole J. Shay, Lpc. carole@alaskaassistancedogs.org Meadow Gates Farm Sanctuary has provided shelter and care for unwanted pet rabbits since 2001. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable corporation. Rabbits are taken in when space is available. They are evaluated for behavior and personality, spayed/neutered, then adopted to new pet homes. Bunnies not able to be adopted are maintained permanently at the sanctuary.
United Way provides information on available services through the 211 hotline and website www.alaska211.org and keep current and distribute the Mat-Sui Resource Guide. Our goal is to bring together individuals, companies and agencies to achieve measurable, positive, lasting results. We ask the community to LIVE UNITED which means all of us coming together to volunteer, advocate and give to create a brighter future for all. To find out more visit www.unitedwaymatsu.org or call 373-5807. The United Way of Matanuska Susitna Borough is physically located at 550 S Alaska Street Suite 205 Palmer, AK 99645.
The Valley Quilters Guild
was formed in 1985 to promote quilting in the Matanuska Valley. We currently have a membership of about 180. Our main objectives are service to our community and the education of Quilters. We serve the community by donating quilts to organizations and groups that approach us with their needs. We also give quilts to the victims of fires, child abuse, homeless families, and Law Enforcement agencies for comforting victims of domestic violence. The Guild meets the first Thursday of each month at the Palmer Train Depot at 7 p.m.
Mat Su Sertoma Club
The Mat Su Sertoma Club focuses on hearing health. They are part of a national organization with more than 600 clubs throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The club provides free hearing screens to the public the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wasilla Physical Therapy, 3750 E. Country Field Circle, Wasilla from September until May. During the summer we’re fishing, camping and gardening like most Alaskans! The Mat Su Sertoma Club is the host to the Annual Mat Su Polar Plunge, the original valley dip each February. They have been responsible for providing funding to non profits in the Mat Su Borough for more than 5 years, along with scholarship funding for two students who are pursuing an education in the hearing health field. The website is www.matsuhearing.dot to stay abreast of activities. Meetings are held the second and fourth Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Tailgaters Restaurant in Wasilla.
Mat-Su Special Santa
The Mat-Su Special Santa program is the largest Christmas gift giving program in the Valley. Mat-Su Special Santa teams with Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, Food Banks, state and local
Go to www.specialsanta.net for more information or e-mail us at matsu_santa@yahoo. com.
The Last Frontier Honor Flight
Our mission is to transport WWII, Alaska Territorial Guard and Korean War veterans to Washington D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices AT NO COST TO THE VETERANS. All Donations are tax deductible, according to state and federal laws. You can make a donation to The Last Frontier Honor Flight PO Box 520116 Big Lake, Alaska 99652, or pay with a credit card on our website at www.tlfhonorflight.org. If you would like to volunteer you can contact our President Ron Travis at (907) 892-6097 for meeting times and places.
The Sertoma Club - Wasilla
We host the Mat Su Polar Plunge raising funds for non-profits in the Matanuska Susitna Valley, Alaska. February 2011 we saw 85 jumpers raise almost $20,000 which was then given to the Food Pantry of Wasilla and Turn A Leaf Thrift Stores. The Food Pantry provides emergency food supplies to families in need. Turn A Leaf has a medical lending equipment program which is now organized with software purchased with funds received. Both were grant recipients from the Mat Su Sertoma Club. Grant applications for the 2012 Mat Su Polar Plunge are located on our website: www.matsuplunge.com.
Mat-Su Community Chorus
Do you love to sing? The Mat-Su Community Chorus welcomes new adult members in all vocal ranges each September and January. We are a well-established, male-female, SATB community singing group conducted by Anna Crowther. Group singing benefits your emotional and physical health and enriches our community, so bring your talents and join the Chorus! No audition required although previous experience is helpful. We offer complimentary performances at public celebrations and deliver formal concerts several times a year. Rehearsals are on Thursdays at the WHS choir room from 7 - 9 pm. Contact us at matsucomchorus@gmail.com or call Sandy at 907-355-5836 for membership details. Like us on Facebook for concert reminders. We have a wonderful club of volunteers! On a weekly basis you’ll find a Mat Su Sertoman at the Food Pantry, Wasilla Senior Campus, Valley Charities, helping Special Olympics and the list goes on and on! Our goal for 2011/2012 year is to raise more than, $25,000 in polar plunge funds. You can pledge or sign up to jump! Just visit our website for more information. Join us every other Thursday at 5:00pm at the Tailgaters Sports Bar and Grill. Our next meeting is Nov. 25th. We always have new speakers and a great time. See you there!
Valley Residential Services
VRS provides housing to people with special needs. We define people with special needs
TOPS
Take off Pounds Sensibly Non-Profit Weight Loss Support Group Three (3) Chapters meet weekly in the Valley. Kathy Miller - 376-9571 or write to matsutops@webtv.net
Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS)
Our mission is to educate and provide opportunities in our community to reduce, reuse, and recycle for the long-term good of all. Our vision is to establish the Mat-Su Borough as a model recycling community for Alaska. We are open for residential recycling Tuesday thru Friday 10:30am to 6:00pm and Saturday 10:30am to 3:30pm. Businesses can call ahead for hours. Your permanent community recycling center is located in our new green building at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, next to the animal shelter at the Central Landfill. Volunteer opportunities available. community@valleyrecycling.org valleyrecycling.org - 745-5544
Valley Residential Services (VRS)
VRS provides special needs housing to individuals who experience behavioral or developmental disabilities, low-income levels or those who are homeless. VRS currently has 168 properties in the Mat-Su Valley with special programs to assist with rental assistance and we can assist with linking individuals to social service agencies who can assist with life skills programs. (907) 357-0256 , valleyres.org
Alaska Attachment & Bonding Associates (AABA)
Educates and supports foster, adoptive, kinship care, step, grand and guardianship parents and professionals who care for children with emotional mental health issues, such as Attachment Disorder. AABA provides workshops, e-mail/telephone support, resource/ referral information, self-advocacy, AABA website www.akattachment.org, RAVEN Respite, newsletters, brochures, lending library, and Mom2Mom/Dad2Dad parent support group. For more information: Laura Wagner 907-376-0366
The Homeless Actors of Mat-Su
HAMS, the Homeless Actors of Mat-Su, is a valley non-profit community theater group created to further theatrical opportunities for actors and technical personnel of all ages, be experienced or beginner and the audiences who have not been fully represented in the valley. With local support we intend to produce a broad range of the atypical classical, modern, comic, dramatic and musical one act and full length plays and improvisational theater that are both educational and entertaining in the traditional and dinner theater format as fundraisers for various local causes and to continue to encourage development of the theater arts in the Mat-Su Valley. Contact Elizabeth Clausen, General Manager, 841-4119; akhams@yahoo.com
Mat-Su Food Bank
At the Matsu Food Bank we provide emergency supplemental food to residents of the Matanuska Susitna Valley. The Matsu Food Bank distributes thru the Food Pantry of Wasilla directly to clients in need. The Pantry hours of distribution are Monday through Friday from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. The Pantry is located at 501 E. Bogard Rd. in Wasilla. We have three programs operating under the
Matsu Food Bank. The community supplied Food Pantry of Wasilla accepts donations of food or funds to help feed our neighbors. We distribute to clients on an emergency monthly basis. We also distribute TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program). This is a program is supplied by the USDA and is also once a month. Our third program is Food4Kids. We prepare and deliver, in safe community locations, nutritious meals and snacks for hungry kids 18 and under. We provide meals during the school year. We have a summer program at various locations around the Valley from Willow to Sutton and provide nutritious lunches for all kids in the valley for free. Our website is: www.matsufoodbank.org. If you have any questions please go to the website or call us at 907-357-3769.
OUTDOORS
North America Outdoor Institute
The North America Outdoor Institute (NAOI) is a not-for-profit community outreach organization providing outdoor safety and environmental awareness education programs for the general public in an effort to save lives from preventable outdoor injuries and deaths. Debra McGhan, debra@naoiak.org 376-2898 , www.naoiak.org
Alaskans For Palmer Hay Flats
Dedicated to conserving the natural and cultural resources of Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge through public awareness, year-round recreation and events, education and enhancement projects. Healthy, outdoor recreation in a safe, beautiful setting is what APH helps provide to all users. 357-8711, alaskans@palmerhayflats.org www.palmerhayflats.org
Alaska Frontier Trappers Association
The Alaska Frontier Trappers Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the ethical and lawful practice of trapping Alaska’s fur bearers. We work to educate fellow trappers, children and the public in general about trapping as a necessary wildlife management and research tool. Our monthly meetings usually include a guest speaker and/or a demonstration and fur handling information. Meetings which are held at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Palmer Library. Everyone is welcome to attend. www.akfrontiertrappers.com
CONSERVATION
Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center
The mission of the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center is to care for injured, orphaned and sick wild birds with the goal of releasing them back into the wild; and to educate the public about these birds and their habitats. AWBRC, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is always looking for volunteers and donations. We are undergoing a building project this summer, and can use carpentry assistance. In addition, regular volunteers are always needed for care of our resident birds. Please visit our web site at http://www.akwildbirdrehab.org/ for further information about us, to volunteer or to request a live bird program.
Wasilla Soil & Water Conservation District (WSWCD) The WSWCD is a non-profit formed in 1948 to assist landowners & land managers with conservation & development on land through technical assistance, projects & education programs & services. distmgr@wasillaswcd.org
JULY 2015
Meadow Gates Farm Sanctuary
We are dedicated to working in our community on education, stable income and health. These are the building blocks for a quality life. We provide grants to programs with these areas of focus and administer programs that improve early childhood education, reduce substance abuse and improve senior citizen nutrition. We supply Familywize prescription drug discount cards, which have saved people in the Mat-Su over $500,000 since its beginning.
The Special Santa Program’s goal is to help children receive the magic of Christmas and know that people care. In reaching this goal the program: 1. Coordinates with agencies and programs to provide for families, 2. Provides the citizens in the Community an opportunity to give, 3. Assists families in need at a stressful time of year, 4. Spreads the joy of Christmas throughout the Mat-Su Valley.
as those individuals who are experiencing behavioral or developmental disabilities, lowincome levels or who are seniors. VRS currently manages 198 residential units distributed in the Mat-Su Valley and participates in special programs to assist with rental assistance. We can also assist with linking individuals to social service agencies who can assist with life skills programs. (907) 357-0256, www.valleyres.org
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
to request a live bird program.
United Way of Mat-Su
agencies, churches and schools to help families in need. Last year over 3400 children completed a wish list with requests for Christmas presents. The program provided at least two toys/ gifts, winter wear when possible, a new book, personal items and stocking stuffers. All of this is possible through the generous donations of our community with over 1000 community members, organizations, clubs and schools either volunteering or donating to the program. This is an all volunteer program. We are also in need of volunteers.
PAGE 23
Valley Arts Alliance