Palmer Fun!
April 22 & 23
“Have you seen what we do to those we elect? Have you seen what we’ve done to families and friends near those people? ...We treat our elected officials like fodder for a rumor mill.”
Contributed by Josh Fryfogle I’ve gotten the question, “Are you gonna run for an office?” I mean, I am campaigning, so I get it. “You could end up in a real position someday!”
Contributed by Lorali Simon, Mary Lou Coddington, and Jack Burnett. Palmer has become a gathering place, a destination, a desired location. I’m sure a lot of it has to do with our beautiful scenery. After all, Pioneer Peak is probably the second most recognizable mountain in Alaska. Palmer’s sense of community is encapsulated in our quaint, kind, Norman Rockwell-esque vibe of a true American small town downtown. To me, our sense of community really means Who Let the Girls Out! This annual event is sponsored and hosted every year by a growing group of Palmer-ites (Palmer-ainians?) individuals and businesses. We put on WLTGO so that people have a reason to see each other: to mingle, to play, to laugh, to hug, to shop, to eat, and to drink. Shake off the cabin fever! Come to Palmer on April 22-23!
Well, I am flattered, but, uh… Have you seen what we do to those we elect? Have you seen what we’ve done to families and friends near those people? We treat our elected officials like fodder for a rumor mill. These people work for us! We are the worst bosses of all time, joining in on the melee. If it weren’t for our short attention spans and general apathy, it would be unbearably cruel to them. It’s like the modern day Roman Colosseum… of the Mind! We display their lives, show their weaknesses, curse them, blame them for failure - it’s a bloodbath. Consider the contempt that might create amongst the elect towards the People - our public servants towards the public. Some unsuspecting but presumably sincere citizen takes on the task of public service, a triumphant winner of an election, cheered along by willing supporters. Then, everything changes.
Being community-minded isn’t always represented by volunteering for a local non-profit, although we all need to do that too. Sometimes community is as simple as meeting up with old friends, and making new ones, to have a beer and a cheeseburger.
We send them off in fanfare, but should they fail, even in their private lives, we publicly shame them!
Throw in a little shopping with downtown merchants (most of whom are small business owners struggling through another winter).
But we want a hero! Someone to slay the dragons! Someone to lead us into battle!
Most of all, community is loving, accepting, and inviting. Please join us for Who Let the Girls Out on April 22-23.
“What makes Palmer such a special place? I believe it is our sense of community.”
Nope, not a job I want. We, the Employers, need to do a better job at this self-governance thing.
A symbol of the best of us, a savior to the rest of us! I imagine the Roman Gladiators must have felt a similar relationship with the people of their time. They were surely treated as gods among men. They probably were indulged in every vice and pleasure, made to feel honored wherever they went, relieved of worldly worries - it must have been great! Until it was time to be killed in public. Imagine the feelings they felt, knowing that the same adoring public would cheer at their death. We see the same mentality among ancient South American cultures, where we’ve learned that they practiced human sacrifice. The ‘victims’ were seen as giving their lives for the community. Public service, if you will. Now we are not nearly as cruel these days. We’ve toned it down a bit. We don’t kill our heroes to please the gods anymore. We are more civilized, and modern. We just disgrace them publicly, dragging their entire families
down from the pedestals we placed them on. And their sacrifice is never sufficient, either. We have these public pedestals, and there will always be more who are willing to be placed there, thinking it will be different for them. And maybe it will. I mean, we’re modern, and sophisticated, right? We do our bloodletting in other ways, while our leaders play a role that the human psyche is all too comfortable with. It’s human nature that we want our saviors to succeed or die trying. Those trusted few, who we send to battle, to return triumphant or not at all. Of course this flies in the face of a supposedly self-governed People. This is completely inconsistent with the ideas and ideals that shaped our society. We have simply reverted to our base instincts. And while we are distracted with the spectacle of it all, our real concerns and interests are not served. Not at all. Instead, we get dramatic distractions - bread and circuses. This campaign - the Vote Local campaign - is a real political campaign. But I hope it’s not like anything you are used to. My role as candidate is my artistic expression, not to insult those who we elect, but to bring attention to the fact that our nation, our country, was supposed to be different. We were supposed to rise above the brutality of the past. We were supposed to realize mankind’s higher functions. Instead, we have reverted to the base barbarism we arrogantly forget is our shared history. My role as ‘candidate’ in this campaign is purely symbolic, not only of our psychological need for a hero, but of the futility of the same. I am not condemning the People. I am one of you. Your weakness is mine, too. That’s the point of my ‘candidate’ persona. What does it even mean, in a free society, to be elected? Does it mean expanded power or restricted? Does it mean public servant, or public master? And if we have it backwards, how do we move forward? Again, I truly believe it is as simple as where you spend your money. That’s your vote, and it counts. The basis of this nation’s system of government was not to consolidate power, but the opposite. The whole point of having different ‘States’, as referenced in the United ‘States’ of America, was that the same rule of law for everyone was too blunt, with the brunt bore by the individual. An unbearable burden, the People deserved liberty, and the best way to do that was to diversify the power structure - localizing the power. But more than that, this liberty was further ensured through the acknowledgement of the rights of the individual, given by a Creator. This idea that each individual had certain inalienable rights (or responsibilities) was revolutionary. The American Dream was, and always will be, the entrepreneur who can determine their own future! Yet we cast it aside so
LOCAL BUSINESS & COMMUNITY
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Create Loyal Customers Using These 5 Ideas Contributed by Jeanette Gardiner One of the books in my library is “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek. A sentence in that book really struck a chord with me: “Loyalty is when people are willing to turn down a better product or price to continue doing business with you.” When you picture your current customers, do you believe they would willingly turn down a better product, service or price to continue working with you? If you can’t answer that question with a resounding “YES!” then it may be time to look at (among other things) what you’re doing to nurture those relationships and build loyalty. If you aren’t yet in the practice of building loyalty because it seems too complicated or time-consuming, or you just aren’t sure where to start, here are
five ideas that will help: “Wow” your customers. In other words, provide exceptional service. OK, so this is (or should be) a no-brainer but I’m still amazed at what passes as “exceptional” service. Are you providing just the services or products promised? While that may be honoring your commitments, there are always ways to add value. Present a common solution in an uncommon way. Follow through and follow up in a timely manner. Keep your promises. These suggestions may seem like common sense, but how often do you actually see them in practice? Be a problem solver for your customers. Find ways to help them even if the problem isn’t the one you were hired to solve. Can you refer them to a trusted business or other resource to solve their problem? Be thoughtful. How? One way is by sending greeting cards at unexpected
Conrad’s Coffee Club Contributed by Michelle Overstreet Conrad Holler came into Gathering Grounds for a cup of coffee and to check the place out. He didn’t talk to anyone, just sat and watched the kids working, observed the staff and drop in guests. Within a few days he introduced us to an ever evolving group we call: Conrad’s Coffee Club. John Raetz was asked how he happened to come in for coffee. “It didn’t happen”, he said.
Conrad came in to the coffee shop where they formerly met and said, “We have to go to this other place for coffee. Let’s Go!” “Now I come here because I lost my wife, I’m on my own and the kids and staff are my family.” He said he would miss teasing, joking and arguing with his new friends. Conrad said it was the kids, friends’ smiling faces, bad jokes and good coffee. “Some people test our grit with insults and opinions, and I like that,” he says. “Also I can stay up on drug problems, inside scoops, give my opinions and keep a lookout on the kids. “
times of the year (a Groundhog Day card with a clever greeting always brings a smile). Remember birthdays and anniversaries (business anniversaries as well as personal). Have a process for gathering this type of information from customers when your business relationship begins. Be present. Turn off the smartphone, email, and any other distraction. Hold your thoughts and responses until your customer finishes speaking. If you need to take notes, go old school and grab a pen and paper. The clicking of a keyboard can be very loud and distracting (and if you’re on the phone, how does your customer know that you aren’t multitasking?). Be a resource for your customers. Provide information, resources, and tips that you know customers will appreciate and find useful. Even, and especially, if it doesn’t have anything to do with the work
you’re doing for them. Again, a process for collecting this type of information right from the start will help you spot the “right” information, resource or tip when you see it. Loyal customers are essential for business success and building a loyal following of customers is all about nurturing those relationships. And as anyone knows, lasting relationships take time to develop. Invest in your business today by finding simple, meaningful, and unique ways to ensure your customers today continue to be your customers tomorrow. About Jeanette Gardiner Jeanette Gardiner lives in Palmer, Alaska, and is the Owner of SeaStar Strategies LLC where she helps time-strapped small business owners discover the gift of time by streamlining their administrative and marketing systems. Learn more at seastarstrategies.com
Franz likes to be here because Conrad educated them about Gathering Grounds and he now considers the kids and Gathering Grounds his duty, his family and his home. He enjoys finding out the opinions of the kids and offering his own right back. Jon K was a medical director for years and is familiar with the issues and problems our kids face and he loves to educate and be honest with them, he says. Guy sees some kids who are introverted and hurting and he likes to talk to and tease them in support. He also owns Alaska Cab and offers transport in partnership with MY House. Ray is the lunchtime electrical advice man, and he loves the “old farts” and kids. He enjoys a good argument, and has also spread the word to his
construction trade friends that this is the place to hire good help for the summer. We love the guys and gals in this group, they brighten our day and change young lives with their banter and love. They are what being part of a community is all about: Love and caring. If this sounds like the bunch for you, come on by. Best coffee in town, according to Conrad.
The stability and security of Alaskans is at stake. Our ability to provide for our selves - our economy. If that isn't political, I don't know what is...
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Shopping local IS political. Vote Local - Josh Fryfogle
COMMUNITY
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Alaska Raceway Park Debuts NASCAR Oval Track in June Contributed by Alaska Raceway Park
winningest drivers began their careers in this series. Racers can start as young as 14. Alaska Raceway Park is one of three tracks to join NASCAR this year. Kevin Nevalainen, the Director of Weekly Racing Operations at NASCAR, flew up from Daytona, Florida, to discuss with owners, Earl and Karen Lackey and Michelle Maynor, their vision and plans.
Alaska Raceway Park is excited to announce the debut of our brand new 1/3-mile asphalt oval track, recently sanctioned by NASCAR in its Whelen All-American Series. Sponsored in part by Tesoro, this new track boosts Alaska Raceway Park into a bona fide motorsports complex, diversifying beyond our customary IHRA drag racing and other automotive events. Spectators are welcome to the new oval track before the June 4 Tesoro Oval Debut race day at any of our Test and Tune events, taking place May 20, 21, 27, and 28. NASCAR’s Whelen Series is a network of nearly 60 racetracks across North America, culminating in a national championship as well as U.S. state and Canadian province championships, rookies of the year, and track championships. Some of NASCAR’s
A day-long discussion and contract signing resulted in a successful ARP sanction announcement at Daytona Speed Weeks. None other than NASCAR’s famous Sprint Cup Series driver, Matt Kenseth, 2012 Daytona 500 winner, recorded a shout-out video, welcoming Alaska Raceway Park as a NASCAR Home Track. This new track greatly expands racing opportunities for youth and adults in Alaska. Facilities manager, Pete Mattison, has oval construction adhering to a tight schedule, coordinating winter work on bleachers, timing tower, and snack and beverage concessions buildings. Final paving, fencing, scoreboards, and finishing touches are scheduled as soon as break-up is complete. Oval race classes include Late Model (stock-appearing mid or full sized coupes and sedans), MiniStock
(production model cars or mini-trucks with inline four-cylinder engines), Street Stock (American-made hardtop production autos), Legends (5/8-scale replicas of American automobiles from the 1930s and ‘40s with Yamaha motorcycle engines), and Baby Grands (2/3-scale replicas of Nextel Cup Stock Cars with Yamaha motorcycle engines). General admission tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and active duty military, $10 youth 11-15, and free for kids 10 and under. Test and Tune tickets are $10, $8, $5, and free, respectively. Pit admission is $30 with NASCAR/ INEX membership and $40 without. No one under 14 is admitted in the pits. Oval track gates open at 2:00 pm, with qualifying at 4:00 pm and racing at 6:00 pm. The schedule and other information can be found on our website at raceak.com. Oval track sponsors include Tesoro, Diversified Tire, The Odom Corporation, Weld Air, Pruhs Construction, Soper’s Concrete, Valley Block and Concrete, E-Terra LLC, Acutek Geomatics, New Horizons Telecom, J.D. Steel Co., Edmonds Import Auto, Vulcan Towing, and Element Automotive.
Brewsters for a Day at Arkose Brewery Contributed by June Gerteisen, Co-founder & Creative Director at Arkose Brewery
On March 5th, Arkose Brewery invited women in the community to participate in the national “Big Boots Brew Day” put on by The Pink Boots Society (PBS). PBS is a nonprofit organization that raises the profile of women in the craft beer industry and raises the profile of beer for women. With the proceeds from these brews, PBS provides
Contributed by Nikki Vioto PRESS RELEASE Every year, the Alaska Railroad sees an increase in trespassing incidents on the train tracks when summer arrives. Trespassing is not only illegal, but it is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America. The terrifying trend of more people trespassing on Alaska Railroad tracks seems to have come early this year along with the warm temperatures that have arrived in Rail-Belt communities, from Seward to Anchorage to Fairbanks. The evidence is clear and terrifying, just see the attached photo, which was taken this
scholarships to their members. These scholarships cover a wide range of education in the craft beer industry.
Women working at breweries all over the world were invited to participate. As a member of the PBS, I was excited to be part of this collaborative effort to raise awareness about the beer industry to women and to invite women in the community to join me in being a “Brewster” for a day. A Brewster is the term used for a female brewer. This was a new experience for our guests and it really gave them a behind-the-scenes look into the hard work involved with an official “brew day” at Arkose Brewery. The fruits of our labor, “Pink Boots Raspberry Red,” will be on tap only at the brewery beginning Thursday, April 14. Not only is the Arkose taproom the
only place you will be able to sample this beer, but it will also be dispensed using nitrogen instead of Co2. Adding nitrogen to a beer as it is being poured from the tap imparts an extra creamy and smooth mouth feel, because the bubbles in the foam are much smaller. Arkose Brewery is located at 650 E. Steel Loop and has been in operation since 2011. It is Palmer’s first brewery ever and offers not only beers on tap in the taproom, but beers on tap at many local and statewide restaurants, pubs, and growler bars. 22 oz bottles are also available at liquor stores throughout the State. Taproom is open Mon – Sat. Noon to 7 p.m. (closed Sundays). Learn more at arkosebrewery.com or 746-BEER
weekend along Turnagain Arm and shows a group of people, including children, walking along the tracks. This reiterates just how crucial it is to inform Alaskans about the dangers of trespassing and share track safety messaging with them. There are still many people who simply don’t understand that the consequences are much bigger than getting a fine. It could be a fatal mistake. Each year in the U.S., approximately 400 people die from trespassing along a railroad’s right of way. Additionally, almost as many are injured. The good news is that all
of these incidents are 100 percent preventable, and the Alaska Railroad hopes that by educating the community fewer incidents will occur. Warm temperatures are expected to continue into the weekend, with the high averaging around 50 degrees in Wasilla over the next week. The Alaska Railroad is urging local residents and visitors to stay off the train tacks while they are out enjoying the sunshine with their family and friends.
Shopping Local
IS Political
HEALTH & WELLNESS Contributed by Sandi Sagerian, Wasilla Homeless Committee Hope Village is a community of tiny houses, planned by Wasilla Homeless Committee, and offered as a solution for emergency housing of the homeless, progressing toward stable low cost rental and purchase options. The village build plan is divided into three phases with progress through the phases progressing as rapidly as needs and funding permit. The entire community could encompass as few as 25 acres with the possibility of expanding to 100 acres. Playgrounds, green spaces, and small parks would be scattered strategically around the village. Residents would be required to pay a rental fee based on a sliding scale of income. As residents progress in stability and income, they could move into upgraded homes with the option of rent or purchase based on desire. A community center would be located adjacent to the Phase I homes to provide easier access for those in Phase I. The community center would offer personal storage (lockers), laundry and shower areas. The community kitchen and dining area would provide nutritious hot meals for all Phase I residents. The center would also offer a library, classrooms, computer access, and a common relaxation area with television and card tables for recreation. A chapel/meditation room would allow for spiritual growth. Classrooms will be used for budget/finance classes, job search, parenting, substance abuse recovery support, and other classes as identified based on resident needs. Offices and consultation rooms will be used by case managers to provide consultation and guidance to residents. A community garden would help provide fresh garden produce for use by the community kitchen and individual residents. A transportation hub would offer bus/ van transportation to residents for transportation into town, access to medical care, and social services, as well as shopping.
Wasilla Homeless-Committee hopes to begin building in the fall of 2016 to the spring of 2017. Support of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and local tribal councils is imperative for this to happen. Tundra Tiny Houses, and Merrick Construction have already expressed interest in helping to build the homes. Wasilla Homeless-Committee also has an architect on the committee, ready to finalize plans. Financing will be sought from local banks, tribal councils, private donations, and the Rasmussen Foundation. The bunkhouse model offers 2 sets of bunkbeds with limited amounts of storage for personal possessions. Larger storage would be available in the community center. The bathroom consists of a toilet and sink. Shower facilities are in the community center. Heating is provided by wall-mounted electric heaters. Hot water is on demand. An additional egress door has been added for safety. This model is for emergency housing only. The family bunk model allows for privacy for parents with children. It features 2 bedrooms, a small kitchen, and full bathroom facilities. This floor plan could also be used to house 2 unrelated adults. These residents would have jobs, and the privacy would permit them to prepare for work without having to walk to the community center. Heat and hot water are supplied by the same systems available in the bunkhouse model. The residential models (purchase or long term rental) are more complete and would be placed further away from the community center. The residential models would be most suitable for single individuals or couples, though bedrooms in the loft area could be added for minimal cost. The floor plans for the bunk house and 2 bedroom plans were designed by Tundra Tiny Houses in Big Lake. The residential model was found on tinyhouseblog.com We hope this information assists you in finding ways to help the homeless in the valley.
Cardboard City Mat-Su
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Contributed by Dr. Anna Altair This morning I was awakened by the sunshine coming into my window. So nice, so natural, and so welcoming is the sunshine. This was happening 3 weeks ago. Then we “sprang forward” and all got to wake up in the dark for 2 more weeks - as if we hadn’t had enough darkness during winter. Let us abolish the “Spring Forward Daylight Savings Time.” Let us simply use Alaska Standard Time all year! I remember thinking in 2004, what a silly notion DST was, especially for AK, who had daylight nearly 24 hours in the summer. Now that I have endured it 12+ years, this notion gets dumber and dumber each year. I get 4 weeks of blinding sun in my eyes coming and going to work instead of only 2 weeks. Not good. In the fall, I feel forced into darkness too quickly in the afternoons. In the spring, I feel forced back into darkness in the morning. From a Health Standpoint: Our circadian rhythms are interrupted when we switch from one time to the other. Our bodies are in tune with the Earth and she doesn’t switch times. She is constant.
Depression: Many people display SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and use light therapy to help them. Overeating: Especially ice cream, and much more in the dark months. It goes along with the SAD and the depression. Accidents: Motor vehicle accidents are increased when our time changes. Alcohol - Use increases. Suicides- Increase. Daylight Saving Time was invented in 1916 by Germans who thought it helpful to work in the fields longer. It is 100 years later and it doesn’t seem to resonate with society in 2016. The concept has expired its usefulness and necessity. Arizona and Hawaii do well without it. It was fun when I was a kid and could stay outside and play until 9 or 10pm because it was still “light out”. Getting children to bed is a challenge at any time ------ (Another story). There is a bill in our Alaska Legislature to abolish DST. CALL TO ACTION: Call your legislator this month to ELIMINATE “Spring Forward in 2017” Order is the way of the universe. Let us be in this order. Anna Altair, DC is a Chiropractic Physician in Mat-Su borough. She has been in the valley since 2004, her clinic is on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. She believes “We are all here to thrive and good health is your birthright”.
Your Veteran’s Medical Benefits Contributed by Major Mike Dryden, AVN USAR Retired Public Law calls for VA to provide you hospital care and outpatient care services that are defined as “needed.” VA defines “needed” as care or service that will promote, preserve, and restore health. This includes treatment, procedures, supplies, or services. This decision of need will be based on the judgment of your health care provider and in accordance with generally accepted standards of clinical practice. The following three categories contain a list of health care services that are provided under the Medical Benefits Package, a list of some that are not covered by VA, and a list of other services that are provided under special authority. Outpatient medical, surgical, and mental health care, including care for substance abuse. Inpatient hospital, medical, surgical, and mental health care, including care for substance abuse. Prescription drugs, including over-thecounter drugs and medical/surgical supplies available under the VA national formulary system. Emergency care in VA facilities. Emergency care in non-VA facilities in certain conditions: This benefit is
a safety net for veterans requiring emergency care for a serviceconnected disability or enrolled veterans who have no other means of paying a private facility emergency bill. If another health insurance provider pays all or part of a bill, VA cannot provide any reimbursement. To qualify for payment or reimbursement for non-VA emergency care service due to a serviceconnected disability, you must meet all of the following criteria: >> You were provided care in a hospital emergency department or similar emergency care facility. >> You are enrolled in the VA health care system. >> You have been provided care by a VA health care provider within the last 24 months. >> You are financially liable to the provider of the emergency treatment for that treatment. >> You have no other form of health care insurance. >> You do not have coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, or a state program. >> You do not have coverage under any other VA programs. >> You have no other contractual or legal recourse against a third party that will pay all or part of the bill.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
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Ghee and Potential Health Benefits Contributed by Dori Cranmore RN
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It looks like butter. It’s made with butter. It smells like butter. So how healthy can ghee really be? One of the healthiest of saturated fats, ghee offers many potential health benefits. Ghee is a Hindi word and this golden substance has actually been an important ingredient in fine European cuisine for centuries. Ancient Ayurvedic medicine has mentioned the health benefits of ghee in Indian culture for thousands of years. So What is Ghee? It’s nothing more than the pure butterfat extracted from milk. Butter has a high percentage of butterfat, but includes some additional water and impurities, whereas ghee is pure, 100% unadulterated butterfat. It’s often referred to as clarified butter. If you’ve ever melted butter, you’ve seen it separate into a clear, golden oil with whitish milk solids. Some of these solids foam and rise to the top, while others settle to the bottom. The clear golden oil that separates from the solids is ghee. It’s far more stable and less perishable than dairy butter. It
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doesn’t require refrigeration and can last many years. Ghee has a high smoke point (250 °C or 482 °F). You can cook and fry with ghee and it will not break down into free radicals like many other oils. Ghee is rich in butyric acid which is great for healing the gut. Research shows that adequate production of butyric acid supports the production of killer T cells in the gut, and thus a strong immune system. Ghee is also rich in the oil soluble vitamins A, E, K2 and CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) – an antioxidant with anti-viral properties if it is sourced from grass fed cows. Much like coconut oil, ghee is rich in medium chain fatty acids
which are absorbed directly to the liver (like carbs) and burned as energy. Athletes can use ghee as a consistent energy source. The energy from these medium chain fatty acids can be used to burn other fats in the system and lose weight. Ghee nourishes the brain, helps inflammation and feeds our immune system. Ayurvedic physicians have used oral butyrate supplements and butyrate enemas to treat inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis for centuries. Ghee is made from butter but the milk solids and impurities have been removed so most people who are lactose or casein intolerant have no issue with ghee.
Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water in the Morning Contributed by Dr. Rizaldy Ortiz If you’re looking for better health, consider one simple trick: Drink a glass of lemon water first thing in the morning. Lemons are one of nature’s best kept secrets for good health. Combine its juice with lifesustaining water, and there’s a good chance you’ll see improvements in your health, and even your waistline much sooner than you would expect. Our body is 60-70 percent water, and automatically dehydrated when you wake up in the morning. Dehydration has been linked to a long list of serious health issues from depression, gastro-intestinal problems, poor concentration, skin issues and more. According to experts, we need about 2 liters of filtered water a day just to maintain basic functioning our bodies simply won’t function unless we’re properly hydrated. Fueled with vitamin c and potassium, lemon water is one of the most effective and cheapest ways to get healthy. It’s easy: Pack a handful of lemons when you leave for the road. Each morning, cut one in half perpendicular to the length of the lemon and squeeze using a compact hand juicer or squeezer.
Add the juice to a cup of room temperature or warm water. It’s important to stay away from cold water, as it can shock your system and prevent some of the health benefits from happening. If you find it too tart, you can add some honey, which will give you energy and has its own health benefits. Here are some of the amazing benefits of drinking lemon water at any time of the day, but especially in the morning when you need hydration the most: Promotes Detoxification With its high vitamin c content, lemons neutralize toxins and promote detoxification through the liver, which plays a role in all aspects of digestive health. A 2005 study showed that a bioflavonoid found in lemons, hesperidin, demonstrates the ability to protect the liver from damage. One doctor reports that the liver can make more enzymes out of lemon juice than any other food. Helps You Lose Weight Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which scientists say helps fight hunger cravings. They also are extremely alkaline, meaning they stabilize acidity in the body. It’s been shown that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster. Also, when you start the day off hydrated, you’ll much less likely to mistake your thirst for hunger.
Helps With Constipation For many people, drinking warm lemon water when they first wake up is just the thing they need to eliminate waste before the day gets started. And it makes sense: Lemons are high in minerals and vitamins, which help loosen toxins in the digestive track. Plus, simply taking in enough water is necessary to soften stool, making elimination much easier. Boosts Immune System As you’re probably aware, lemons contain a lot of vitamin c, but did you know they’re high in potassium also? Vitamin C is great for fighting colds and potassium stimulates brain and nerve function, increasing your alertness for the long haul. So for a quick and healthy way to feel alert, ditch the coffee and get squeezin’! Fights Fatigue By hydrating yourself first thing in the morning, you’re preventing adrenal fatigue. Your adrenals create hormones crucial for energy production and nutrient absorption. When your adrenals don’t get enough hydration, you feel stressed, worn out, constipated, and more. Want to Lead a Healthier Lifestyle? Contact Altair Chiropractic today to schedule an appointment at (907) 357-1818.
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POLITICS
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Omnibus Bill Passes State Senate: Why I Could Not Support It Contributed by Senator Bill Stoltze
At 174 sections in length, most of which are extraordinarily dense and complex.
Reduction to simple citations for many dangerous and serious activities.
On Saturday, April 9th, the State Senate took the first step in passing the most significant and widereaching piece of criminal legislation in the history of Alaska—Senate Bill 91.
Many of the sections could be their own significant and controversial pieces of legislation, were they not all melded together in SB 91. To be fair, there were a number of positive, well thought out reforms. Several of which I could have supported as stand-alone bills; as I did when voting for Representative Cathy Tilton’s HB 93 and Representative Tammie Wilson’s HB 15, which reform probation and parole.
Removes any effective level of deterrence and immediate consequences.
Just a few of the key provisions in SB91: Nearly triples the felony threshold for theft.
This was potentially one of the positive parts of the bill. However, in this bill the sanctions for dealing heroin are significantly reduced, including the possibility of doing no jail time at all. This was not something I could support.
The legislation was passed by a vote of 16-2. I voted against SB 91. I felt I have a responsibility to tell you why I could not support this bill. First, I believe this bill has grown too big, too complicated, and contains too many potential pitfalls and unpredictable (as well as predictable) ramifications. It contained a number of other bills within it which had been “run up the flagpole” over the years with little or no support. It has become a centerpiece for the Walker administration and the Legislature, and deemed a “must-pass” bill. Whether in the federal, local, or state government (where I serve), no issue should become “too big to fail.”
Puts too much of a burden on law enforcement and the all too frequently targeted Alaskans, for whom theft has been all too common an occurrence throughout Alaska’s neighborhoods. Potential automatic releases for “geriatric” offenders, at the age of 60 (was 55 in the original version of the bill) is problematic and in many cases has no logical foundation.
Budget Illusions V.S. Reality Contributed by Representative Lora Reinbold State government is simply too big and the state legislature has not made adequate progress in reducing the burden of big government. According to the State of Alaska, Office of Management and Budget, (www.omb.alaska.gov), only minimal reductions in the total state operating budget have been achieved in the last 2 years. Note that the FY15 operating budget was off trend and higher because of an extraordinary $3 billion dollar direct appropriation for the state retirement liability. Comparing FY14 and FY16 total operating costs, a reduction of only 4.2% was achieved in 2 years! And for FY17, don’t hold your breath, preliminary budgets recommended by the Governor, and proposed by the House and Senate are projected to remain at historical highs. Surprised? Despite the budget cutting rhetoric coming out of Juneau, little progress has been made on real cost reductions. The numbers are clear, the impact is real, and this level of spending on State government is unsustainable. It is
VETERANS BENEFITS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE PAGE 4 >> Department of Veterans Affairs or other Federal facilities were not feasibly available at the time of the emergency. >> The care must have been rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health. >> Bereavement counseling. >> Comprehensive rehabilitative services other than vocational services. >> Consultation, professional counseling, training, and mental health services for the members of the immediate family or legal guardian of the veteran. >> Durable medical equipment and prosthetic and orthotic devices, including eyeglasses and hearing aids. >> Reconstructive (plastic) surgery required as a result of a disease or trauma but not including cosmetic surgery that is not medically necessary.
time to fundamentally change the cost structure of government before we take more hard earned money from the citizens of Alaska, or raid the Permanent Fund, the savings account which fortunately is protected by our state constitution. So, why are the numbers so different? The House and Senate claim 10% cost reductions in proposed FY17 Unrestricted General Fund (UGF) expenditures. And similar budget reductions have been reported for the current FY16 budget. Here’s the problem. Reporting a reduction in expenditure from only this one funding source is misleading. The UGF is only a portion of the state operating budget, albeit a significant portion. The total state operating budget is comprised of expenditures from the Unrestricted General Fund (UGF), Designated General Fund (DGF), other state funds, and federal receipts.
Certainly, there are viable arguments made to more effectively address the issue of how we approach drug offenses. I believe the state needs to reform how we treat first time, low level drug offenses; incentivized in a path to recovery.
I was also disappointed that a much targeted drug testing requirement for certain welfare recipients (Those with recent felony drug convictions.) to participate in a limited period of drug testing, was not included with the bill.
While the Legislature works to cut UGF, our savings accounts are being quietly depleted to back-fill reductions in the UGF. Also, when supplemental budgets are implemented they offset reductions reported in prior budget years. This is evident in FY16, where a supplemental spending request of approximately $185M is pending in legislature.
to continue to spend at historic levels. The problem is that this bad behavior has left us in a difficult situation with difficult choices. While making these budget decisions we must never forget about the valued constituency, the businesses, the people and the next generation that will be asked to pay for these Denali sized budgets.
We must fundamentally change the way we construct the yearly state operating budget. Currently, the budget is constructed from the top down. We start with last year’s budget and the governor’s request, and ask, “Is there anything we can cut?”
In my opinion, we, the State of Alaska, need to go through every department, every function, and every state owned entity, and ask, “Do we really need this function?”, and “Is it the government’s role to provide this service?”
We hold hearings where department commissioners vehemently defend their budgets, and special interest groups intensely lobby for their pet funding. Every potential budget cut has a constituency, and potentially a lobbyist, arguing passionately to keep their funding. Human nature and politics usually prevail, which make it very difficult to cut funding after programs and benefits have been established.
>> Respite, hospice, and palliative care. Payment of travel and travel expenses for eligible veterans. >> Pregnancy and delivery service, to the extent authorized by law. >> Completion of forms.
receive Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound benefits at the same time.
Since aid and attendance and housebound allowances increase the pension amount, people who are not eligible for a basic pension due to excessive income may be eligible for a pension at these increased rates. A veteran or surviving spouse may not
I support meaningful reforms and smarter justice, but this is not the bill. This bill was fraught with too many problems and predictable negative ramifications.
Dollars for welfare assistance should be used for food, shelter, and other
Unfortunately, we grew state government during the good times, because again, human nature prevailed, i.e. it’s easy to give away someone else’s money to make someone happy.
These benefits are paid in addition to monthly pension, and they are not paid without eligibility to Pension.
Lastly, many law enforcement groups such as: the state’s Office of Victims’ rights, Standing Together Against Rape, Victims for Justice, and many other groups came out as recently as last week, before the bill’s passage of the Senate, united in strong unambiguous opposition to SB 91 because of unresolved issues relating to the constitutional rights of crime victims and serious law enforcement concerns.
(This piece reflects the status of SB 91 on the evening of April 10th, 2016. By the time many of you read this, the final pass or fail disposition of this bill may have been decided.)
When we talk about the cost of government, shouldn’t we talk about the total operating cost? When you talk about the budget for your household, wouldn’t you balance total expenditures (total operating cost) against your total income (revenues)? If you look at the total operating cost there is a clear reality: We have not reduced the massive footprint of big government.
Aid & Attendance and Housebound Veterans and survivors who are eligible for a VA pension and require the aid and attendance of another person, or are housebound, may be eligible for additional monetary payment.
necessities—not for drugs! This standalone amendment, which I sponsored, failed on the floor by a vote of 6 to 12. Joining me in supporting this amendment were Senators Huggins, Dunleavy, MacKinnon, Micciche, and Steadman.
There are many people and organizations coming to Juneau pleading for us to not reduce funding. However the reality is we cannot afford
Aid & Attendance (A&A) The Aid & Attendance (A&A) increased monthly pension amount may be added to your monthly pension amount if you meet one of the following conditions: You require the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting yourself from the hazards of your daily environment. You are bedridden, in that your disability or disabilities requires that you remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment. You are a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity.
Secondly, we need to benchmark the cost of state government, by comparing the total operating cost for state government in Alaska to other states across the nation. As a starting point, we should target operating our state government at the national average. So here’s the bottom-line. State government is still too big, too costly, and too inefficient. Governor Walker should take the lead and restructure his departments, improve operating efficiency, and demand accountability. Benchmarking costs would provide a standard and a goal for achieving cost efficiency. We must not tax Alaskans and draw from the permanent fund before we first ensure that Alaska is paying only for essential government services and delivering those services efficiently.
Your eyesight is limited to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less. Housebound This increased monthly pension amount may be added to your monthly pension amount when you are substantially confined to your immediate premises because of permanent disability. How to Apply You may apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by writing to the Pension Management Center (PMC) that serves your state. You may also visit your regional benefit office to file your request. You can locate your regional benefit office using the VA Facility Locator. www.benefits.va.gov
POLITICS
COMMUNITY & POLITICS PAGE 7
Anti-Smoking Bill Would Kill Cannabis Cafés Contributed by Tim Hinterberger Contact your representative and ask for an amendment to SB1. A bill designed to protect Alaskans from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke is being hijacked as a way to shut down cannabis cafés before they are given a chance. If SB 1 passes in its current form, adult consumers would once again be limited to consumption in their homes. It would include not only smoking, but also vaporization. State visitors would have no place to go. Reach out to your representative and let him or her know SB 1 needs to be amended so cannabis cafés can operate. Last November, Alaska made history when the Marijuana Control Board
established a category for retail businesses that would allow on-site cannabis consumption. This forwardthinking rule bypassed the long and costly struggles other states have had, which are still looking for a solution to problems associated with public consumption. The board recognized that by allowing adults to consume marijuana legally inside regulated businesses, Alaska would reduce the likelihood that they consume illegally on the street, in vehicles, on sidewalks, and in parks. But some lawmakers are trying to move Alaska backwards. This undermines the current regulatory system, overlooks the value such places would bring, and pushes Alaska into the same public use problems other states have. The program should be allowed to function before lawmakers find ways to undermine it.
2016 Libertarian State Convention Contributed by The Alaska Libertarian Party PRESS RELEASE Saturday, May 7, 2016 8:30 am to - 3:00 pm 201 Barrow Street Anchorage, Alaska The Alaska Libertarian convention is less than a month away. We ask everyone who is interested in attending to RSVP convention Chair Michael Chambers at: chambones@hotmail.com (907) 748-6323 Or go to our website at: www.alaskalibertarian.com and hit the RSVP button which allows you to RSVP register and pay now. Please register via the website or RSVP via the email so we can get a proper headcount regarding the food count so we are prepared. Convention Delegate fees will be $50.00 which includes your membership fee, delegate fee, and convention related costs.
If you wish to only stop in and cast your vote on a write -in ballot, you can stop by, be vetted, pay a $35.00 fee and vote prior to 1:00 pm Proper vetting: A qualified delegate is an individual who has been a registered libertarian since April 7, 2016 and pays membership and delegate fees ($35.00) Please bring your voter registration card as this does speed up the process. We will have the ability to vet those who may not have their credentials. This year will be an exciting State Convention, we will be... * Voting for our Libertarian candidates for president * Voting for positions on the executive board to include Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Membership.
But, seriously, how does spending money locally have any effect on this problem? How can I suggest that this problem can be remedied by such a simple action? Further, how can I suggest that base human nature might be reversed by simply spending money with locally owned businesses? These two topics are not as disparate as you might think.
It is public record that Alaska runs all its opti-scan vote-reading equipment through manufacturer-affiliated service vendors for maintenance. That’s right. Without independent oversight, partisan access to the software of our vote recording equipment is possible before elections. Anybody with software training can tell you multiple ways how computerized hardware designed to record, tally and digitally report vote totals to Juneau Election Division Central can be manipulated. The easiest way is through the use of manufacturer-designed testing modules. That way, even so-called bonded maintenance vendors are victimized along with citizens at large. What we need is independent, software review of our vote recording and counting equipment shortly before they are used this fall. Do you still hold the delusional viewpoint that God or our “noble” government bureaucracy (under the control of lobbyists and special interests, who grab what’s best for them with virtual bribery or rank propaganda) protects us from election rigging?
Example: Hilary Clinton’s campaign and
KVNT is owned by CBI Media Group.
We trade it for the more comfortable traditions of blood thirst, televised with the support of corporate America.
I call on my fellow citizens to coerce and supervise every oath-bound public servant in Alaska at protecting the reporting and counting of our votes this election time. At no other time in US history has election-rigging and votecounting fraud been so widespread, made painfully obvious even through the slanted media.
We hope to see you at Convention!
Anchorage Assembly member, Amy Demboski, will be hosting a new afternoon radio show from 4 PM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday, on KVNT 1020 AM and 92.5 FM in Anchorage and Mat-Su.
blasé, unimpressed with this honorable heritage we’ve been given.
This year of 2016, we must act to preserve our country and state’s spirit. It is something that only individual Alaskan citizens can do, since depending on money and authority and our existing political organizations has been proven worthless at accomplishing it. Apathy about this is a clear admission of being a slave, regardless of propaganda on how docility and submissiveness and looking the other way (by unreservedly trusting government officials) creates “freedom”. Ask any ordinary government employee about rampant corruption beating up on their personal honesty.
* Redesigning both our Constitution and Platform Along with other dynamic speakers, Libertarian candidates, Cean Stevens for US Senate and Jon Watts for US House, will be addressing the convention.
Mike Gallagher, Michael Medved, Lars Larson and Jim Bohannon.
COVER STORY CONTINUED...
Contributed by Stuart Thompson
Example: The Ted Cruz campaign in Iowa falsely disseminating that Ben Carson had dropped out of the race to get Carson’s Christian Conservative votes. Hey, Mr. Cruz! Ever heard of God’s Commandment “Thou shall not bear false witness?
Contributed by Tom Steigleman, General Manager
Demboski joins daily morning talk show host Tom Anderson, a former state legislator, who hosts the 6 AM to 9 AM show on KVNT, as well as national hosts
Vote Counting
“The Valley and Anchorage are starving for true conservatives on talk radio in the afternoon,” said Demboski.
Demboski graduated from Chugiak High School in 1994, earning a bachelor’s degree in justice and history from UAA, and a master’s in business administration with an emphasis in finance from Columbia Southern University.
“I can peel the curtain back and get down to business in coverage when policymakers don’t walk the walk. It’s all about accountability and transparency,” she added.
“What an amazing talent,” said KVNT morning host, Tom Anderson. “Amy’s show will be popular and its perfect timing as longtime radio show icon Glen Biegel retires and the rush hour in the afternoon needs a sound, rational voice to keep listeners engaged from Anchorage to the Valley.”
This nation is “Of The People, By The People, For The People”.
Addiction is a condition of a black market - economic.
Instead, we want to give that responsibility to someone else, and hold them accountable when society is askew. We want to get everything we can from the situation, without regard to others. We lack empathy.
Politics, as usual is a condition of special interests - economic.
We borrow from the future, and then wonder why there is poverty. We blame the poor for poverty. We blame the addict for addiction. We blame the politicians for politics, as usual. But really, poverty is a condition of a devalued currency - economic.
its insider supporters in Iowa winning the only 6 tied precincts by successive coin tosses. Do you know the mathematical odds of having such a perfect outcome? Or the single voter in one precinct who voted for Sanders—only to have his vote recorded by his party for Clinton! Lying and cheating doesn’t begin to describe such behavior. No point in raising this with Mrs. Clinton. She’s the one with most of the New Hampshire “Super-delegates” (whose votes are independent (!) from the will of state Democratic voters) in her pocket. The list with the other candidates goes on! Daunting isn’t it? We don’t actually experience that level of corruption in Alaska. It’s mainly because the bigbucks special interests, and the national party aristocrats don’t need our relatively fewer convention delegate votes to pre-determine national convention outcomes. We’re not immune though. Ask ordinary state Republicans about manipulations to control their state party leadership. Also, as Alaskans are by and large quite discerning, Alaska’s largest political affiliation (outnumbering Republicans and Democrats combined) is non-partisan/undeclared. So why does election to state public office almost always require membership in either the Democratic or Republican parties? Or having to generally vote with one of these parties to get committee assignments in our Legislature? I don’t see anything close to “one man— one vote” in this, do you? Finally, look at it this way. It’s taken several hundred years for American governments to mutate all out of recognition to what the Founders created. Consider this: The Founders intentionally created the constitutional Amendment process to rationally take care of what they may have missed or will miss. Does it get used? At the state level, yes it’s paid attention to—somewhat. But at the national level it’s pissed on by fishy Supreme Court decisions and dictatorlike executive orders from the reigning (as in king) president. In other words, we have had a lot of time to screw up what makes our form of government sensible and workable. We are now faced with at least a generation of dedicated citizen work to clean it up. All history bears witness that leaving government up to charismatic and supposedly ethical or “God-anointed” leaders doesn’t work. If you want freedom and sustained opportunity to be happy, you must participate in your government. Demanding in 2016 that your votes are honestly counted and recorded is a simple start.
“Amy has the intellect and policymaking experience to shed light on the problems and solutions weaving through local, state and national politics,” noted Steigleman. “The Valley is the second largest community in the state, so Amy definitely complements our local programming.” Demboski’s show will broadcast live and online via 1020KVNT.com and social media portals. The show launches April 20th.
It’s always about the money. Where you spend it, how you borrow it, how it’s created to begin with…
and adjust as you see fit! Think about where your money goes, and what happens with it after you invest it through spending. Consider that you are casting a vote, a real vote, and the system of self-governance that makes our nation unique is still in effect through this mechanism - even while we are watching and waiting for the next trending topic.
As I move forward with this campaign, I want you to know that I am not making any promises. I am asking you to make a promise to yourself. And it’s not a big promise.
While we’re all distracted with Palin, Trump, Obama, or whoever else we can watch squirm under the knife of public scrutiny, that old human nature is showing itself.
I am not even asking you to take any specific action. I am only asking you to simply think about your purchases,
We might blame the politicians, but in the end it’s We, the People, who will pay... VOTE LOCAL!
Get involved, pickup trash on public city lands and roadsides to help keep our community beautiful! Pick up the free yellow ALPAR bags at: Wasilla City Hall, Public Works Department, Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center, and the Dorothy G. Page Museum. Drop off filled bags at the Mat-Su Borough provided dumpster located at Iditapark parking lot (near Wonderland) between 12 pm to 7 pm, May 2-7 -- no personal garbage. ENJOY the Appreciation Picnic to be held at Iditapark (red pavilion) on Saturday, May 7th at 2:00pm for food, fun, prizes for kids and teens that participate in the cleanup.
PETS & ANIMALS Choosing a Dog for Your Family Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates President Making the decision to add a dog to your family should be done with a great deal of thought and planning. Everyone ought to agree upon this new addition and see her as part of the family and be willing to provide the care and training required.
Will you be able to prioritize your dog above your belongings, particularly for a puppy? After you have decided that your family is ready for a dog, decide if you prefer a puppy or an adult. Keep in mind that puppies need almost constant attention in order to be housetrained and learn good manners.
Do you have the ability to provide enough exercise for a dog?
In order to have an emotionally stable puppy, she must be socialized, to be around adults, children, other animals, and different settings. Think about the size your puppy will be when she grows up and how active she will become. An older dog may suit a sedentary family more appropriately than a wild puppy.
Can you afford the costs involved in caring for a dog?
As the president of Alaska Animal Advocates, I always advise people to
Before you take this step, ask yourself some questions: Do you have enough time to devote to a dog?
COMMUNITY & PETS & ANIMALS PAGE 8
adopt a dog from Animal Control or a rescue group, rather than to purchase from a pet store or backyard breeder. An added benefit from adopting from these places is the knowledge that you have saved a life. Puppies coming from puppy mills or backyard breeders often come from environments that are less than wholesome and they are typically not vaccinated, spayed or neutered, or microchipped. These people are in the puppy business purely for money and don’t care about the health or wellbeing of the dogs.
A mixed breed is usually a more adaptable dog for a variety of lifestyles and these dogs often have less health issues. If you feel that you and your family are ready to make a lifetime commitment to a dog, do your homework, ask lots of questions, and access training and professionals as needed. You will never have a better companion and your life will be so much richer as a result.
If you decide to get a purebred dog, do your homework to make sure that the breed you choose has the appropriate temperament and characteristics that will fit well with your lifestyle and family make-up. Remember, that you can find many purebred dogs at Animal Control or rescue groups.
COMMUNITY & VETERANS
Stitches for a Hero Contributed by The Quilts of Valor Foundation
The Quilts of Valor Foundation is looking forward to participating in “Who Let The Girls Out” activities in Palmer this year. We’ll be sitting in front of the fireplace at the Downtown Deli where everyone is invited to add a few stitches to a Quilt of Valor® that will later be awarded to a local veteran. One mother’s dream of supporting our service members has become a nationwide effort “To cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts.” Catherine Roberts had a vivid dream one night while her son, Nathanial, was deployed to Iraq in 2003. In her dream she saw “a young man sitting on
the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over. The permeating feeling was one of utter despair. I could see his war demons clustered around, dragging him down into an emotional gutter. Then, as if viewing a movie, I saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and well-being. The quilt made this dramatic change.” To this quilter the message seemed to be “Quilts = Healing.” Quilts could help heal invisible wounds by offering gratitude and comfort. From these thoughts the non-profit all volunteer Quilts of Valor Foundation was formed. The model developed includes teams of volunteers who donate their time and materials to create quilts to be donated to these heroes. Her vision remains the forefront of all of our volunteers. These Quilts of Valor are a quality quilt, “not a charity quilt.” It is seen as the civilian equivalent of a Purple Heart and is made following the Standards of Excellence as set forth by the QOVF (available at www.QOVF.org). Groups work together to stitch quilts with love, prayers and healing thoughts,
Stop by the Downtown Deli during the ‘Who Let The Girls Out’ event and we’ll explain how you can help. Sit and rest while you add a few stitches to the binding of a Quilt of Valor. and they are seen as tangible tokens of appreciation that says, “Thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor.” The first Quilt of Valor was awarded to a young soldier who had lost a leg in Iraq while he was recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center by Catherine Roberts with the help of Army chaplain, Captain John Kallerson. After seeing this soldier’s reaction to the receipt of his QOV, the chaplain asked if more quilts could be sent to the field hospitals to be awarded immediately to the wounded. When it quickly became obvious that Roberts and her quilter friends could not keep up with the need she reached out to the nation’s quilters for help via the internet. Soon coordination of the effort required more leadership based throughout the country, so state coordinators were brought on board. During the summer of 2011, Linda Kau accepted the challenge by becoming Alaska State Coordinator. Since then hundreds of quilts have been made by quilters in the Mat-Su Valley, Eagle River and Anchorage and awarded locally. This September will find the group awarding quilts to new resident veterans at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneer Home in Palmer for the fifth consecutive year. Soldiers based at
the Warriors Transition Battalions at JBER and Ft. Wainwright have been recognized. Many members of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association of Alaska plus WWII and Korean veterans returning on The Last Frontier Honor flights have also received their belated thank yous. Numerous individual nominations are filled each year from requests that come through the website, www.QOVF.org To add to South Central’s quilters’ efforts, groups have formed last year in Fairbanks and Kodiak. The Fairbanks leader reaches out to villages in the interior as well as veterans closer to home. Many active duty and veterans of the Coast Guard are recognized by their local group in Kodiak. “There are many more deserving veterans touched by war who have yet to receive their Quilt of Valor,” says Linda Kau. Quilters and long-armers are always needed. Don’t quilt? There are other ways you can help. Stop by the Downtown Deli during the ‘Who Let The Girls Out’ event and we’ll explain how you can help. Sit and rest while you add a few stitches to the binding of a QOV. We accept donations to help the volunteers produce more quilts, too.
The Mayor of Palmer, DeLena Johnson, Cares What YOU Think!
PETS & ANIMALS
Meet Ella
Contributed by Tracy Smith, Animal Care Dispatcher Mat-Su Borough Animal Shelter Ella is a sweet and loyal, year and a half old. Ella was surrendered to the shelter due to not getting along with some adults in the household. Her previous owner reported that she was great with children but scared of adults. She was indeed very fearful during her first week or two here at the shelter. With a lot of work, we were finally able to get her outside on a leash. At that point, she broke out of her shell. She was still very picky about who she trusted, and avoided anyone else.
She is a very active and loyal dog who loves to play with balls, especially ones that squeak. Ella does have some separation anxiety and has shown some destructive habits when left alone for too long. Ella is house trained and is an indoor dog used to about 3 hours a day of exercise. She is not kennel trained, but needs to be to help with her anxiety problems. She is used to car rides and has not been food aggressive. Ella can be described as high energy, friendly, affectionate, entertaining, playful, cuddly, smart, goofy, adventurous, nervous, protective and shy. She knows the commands sit, stay, here, roll over, lay down, and “Go potty”.
Now, she seems to have forgotten that she was afraid of adults and just wants a good home.
Here at the shelter, she has been extremely treat motivated and has shown that she is trainable. She will, however, need additional training as she is full of energy and a very strong girl. She will need to be around adults who let her get to trust them
Meet Molly
Molly does not want to share her person with other people and is getting training to become more adaptable.
Contributed by Angie Lewis Alaska Animal Advocates
Molly is a sweet girl who tends to attach herself to one person and becomes very protective of her human. This six year old Corgi Mix is the most loyal dog ever and as a result prefers to be the only animal in the house.
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COMMUNITY & PETS & ANIMALS PAGE 9
She will require a very special home, with a person who can understand her intense love. If you think you can provide Molly with the special home she needs, please contact us ASAP. AAArescue@yahoo.com or call Angie at (907) 841-3173
Contributed by Clear Creek Cat Rescue
without forcing her to do so, and she will continue to need positive socialization. Ella will also need a home who is willing to kennel train her so that her kennel is a safe and cozy place, so that she does not continue with destructive behaviors brought on by separation anxiety.
No one can resist a beautiful warm Mocha. This smooth, long haired girl should be no exception. Mocha gets along with other cats and dogs, but she really just wants some humans to love. She is 12 years old, but she will warm your heart and soul for many years to come. She’s waiting in Wasilla for a family of her own. Please consider adopting Mocha www.clearcreekcatrescue.org
HEALTH & COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY & PETS & ANIMALS
Overcoming Brain Surgery Contributed by Abby Lampley When I was three years old, I started having seizures and was diagnosed with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis. Rasmussen’s Encephalitis is a rare brain disorder that basically causes seizures while it eats away at one hemisphere of the brain. The only cure for this disorder is having the diseased portion of the brain removed through a type of brain surgery known as a hemispherectomy. I had this surgery done when I was four years old. The surgery saved my life, but there was a cost. I lost my left peripheral vision from each eye and my left side was paralyzed. Doctors weren’t even sure how much I would recover. Growing up, I had to learn how to do everything with one hand. Between going to school, doing my chores and sleeping, I spent hours doing therapy
with my parents. Sometimes, my little sister and I would even “play” therapy. A lot of people told me that I couldn’t do certain things because of my left side and I worked hard to prove them wrong. When I was twelve years old, I met other kids like me for the first time ever. I was the oldest of the kids, but just seeing that I wasn’t alone changed my life. I learned that I was doing very well and that I had to keep doing well to show the other families what their “hemi kids” could do. I started using my voice to share my story when I was thirteen. Once a year, I would go to the Dreams on Wings 5k fundraiser and speak in front of everyone or just talk to each family personally. I only talked about how I was able to do certain things, but I realized that just by being me, I was shining hope to other families with kids like me. During the year, I would keep in touch with these families through Facebook or email.
“When I was three years old, I started having seizures and was diagnosed with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis.”
At age eighteen, I traveled to Baltimore for the Hemispherectomy Foundation’s international conference/reunion. Cris Hall, the president of the foundation, had asked me to come to the conference and speak on the Young Adult panel. I spoke in front 200+ people at the conference and I spoke to almost all the families individually. Being able to speak and make an impact was awesome for me, but being with other people like me, younger and older, made it so much more special. I am nineteen now and have reached my dream of living on my own and of being able to hold a job. Between work, school and therapy, I stay in touch with my friends in the Hemispherectomy Foundation and I still do public speaking. I’ve spoken on the radio, for the news, in classrooms, and at club meetings. Recently, I spoke at the Wasilla Rotary Club. This is a club made up of people who do good deeds
Making a Splash for Water Safety Contributed by Debra McGhan Paddling across Byers Lake near Denali National Park one spring day, my family was caught by surprise when the calm waters suddenly began to whip up into massive waves that threatened to capsize our tiny canoe. Fortunately for us, my husband was strong and skilled at keeping our boat pointed into the waves so we didn’t tip over. We were all wearing life jackets and made it safely to shore with nothing more than a good dose of fear. But that wasn’t the case for my sister-inlaw’s parents. They were in a jet boat on the Susitna River not far from Talkeetna when they hit a log jam and her mother was thrown into the water. Polly wasn’t wearing a life jacket, she didn’t know how to swim, and she didn’t have the strength to keep her head above the water. She drowned leaving a huge hole in the family. Matanuska Lake, a popular, swimming, boating and fishing lake located along the Glenn Highway, has been the scene of multiple drowning over the years.
Despite day time temperatures in the summer reaching into the 70’s and 80’s, the lake water often hovers around 50 degrees. If you get thrown into that water without a flotation device, your body will instantly go into shock and stiffen up putting you at risk for drowning. That’s what happened to two brothers visiting from the lower 47 in the summer of 2012. There are dozens of stories like these including the one of two young sisters who were boating with their father and friends on Tustamena Lake on the Kenai Peninsula in the spring of 2011. Their weekend adventure turned deadly when their boat was swamped and they had to swim for more than four hours to cross the cold, stormy lake. Three of the five people who started out that day made it out alive; the two young sisters and one of their friends, thanks to the fact that all wore proper fitting life jackets and had the determination and drive to keep swimming despite the miserable conditions. Their story has been memorialized in a gripping film about surviving cold water immersion that can
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be viewed at the website of the Alaska Office of Boating Safety. Even after many years of concerted effort, Alaska still has the highest rate of unintentional drowning deaths in the nation. The state has more than sixthousand miles of coastline, more than 365,000 miles of rivers and more than three-million lakes larger than 20 acres. That’s a lot of water. And we Alaskans love water. We fish, kayak, jet ski, raft, swim & even skip snowmobiles across it. Basically, we just love being on or near water… as much as possible. Whether you’re trying to wade across a river, circumvent a lake or traverse the ocean in a fishing boat, it’s important to learn and practice safety protocols when near or on the water. After all, it’s not like you can just stop or step out of a boat to avoid trouble. Thanks to support from AARP, the Alaska Avalanche Information Center will be hosting two free water safety workshops in May in recognition of National Water Safety month. The first course will be held on May 14 in
and want to better the community. I was asked by a friend of mine to share my story and to introduce the Broken Butterfly project that I am working on starting. My goal for the Broken Butterfly project is to bring together Alaskan families who are dealing with the challenges of brain disorders or injuries. After I finished speaking, I was overwhelmed by the support that I received from the people in the group. I’ve learned that it’s not the fact that I am living with half a brain that impresses everyone. It’s the fact that after everything that I’ve gone through, I am able to bounce back and stay positive. It’s my resiliency that gives people hope. Everyone that knows me, says that I am something special. I know that I am, but I also know that I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for God. He gave me a second chance to live and I am just trying to make the most of it.
Anchorage and the second class is set for May 21 in the Mat-Su Valley. These four-hour workshops, conducted in collaboration with the Alaska Office of Boating Safety, will feature interactive skills practice for the entire family. Gain important safety skills and proper rescue techniques plus lots more. You can get more details and register online at www.alaskasnow.org. You’ll find lots of great resources and water safety tips at: www.dnr.alaska.gov/parks/boating