“Since 2007, Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center has been providing quality care for injured, orphaned or sick wild birds from the Mat-Su Valley throughout Alaska. Birds cared for range from the tiniest featherless baby sparrow to adult eagles... We hope to one day have a larger facility to provide for more birds and open for tours to the public.”
Contributed by Carol Fritz
capture the bird, or assist with the larger, more aggressive birds. The bird needs to be taken to a facility like the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center to be properly raised or healed, and subsequently release when ready into the proper habitat. Our in-house clinic, staffed by volunteers and our veterinarian, in conjunction with Big Lake Animal Hospital, will give the bird the best of care, with the ultimate goal of releasing the bird back to the wild.
Since 2007, Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center (AWBRC) has been providing quality care for injured, orphaned or sick wild birds from the Mat-Su Valley throughout Alaska. Birds cared for range from the tiniest featherless baby sparrow to adult eagles. Through donations and grants we established a facility in the Big Lake/Houston area. We hope to one day have a larger facility to provide for more birds and open for tours to the public. A facility that nurtures such a variety of birds must have an extensive array of housing, medical equipment and food. Caging includes small baskets for tiny birds, pet kennels for transport and critical care, and outdoor wooden buildings called mews for large birds. Our volunteers are trained in the proper food for each species and how to keep their housing in good condition, allowing the birds to be given the care needed. With Spring around the corner, many of our migratory birds are returning and will be building nests and laying eggs. If you find an injured wild bird, CALL US! Do not attempt to keep the bird and raise or heal it yourself. The migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits keeping a wild bird, and it is not in the best interest of the bird. The best thing to do is to call us at 892-AWBR (2927). Our staff is trained to help you
Birds that are injured such that they cannot be released back to the wild are allowed to be permitted and are kept at the facility as education ambassador birds. AWBRC currently has 5 education ambassador birds. Our volunteers are trained to take these birds out to programs to educate the public about Alaska’s birds and their habitat. Programs are offered at a reasonable cost to schools, tourist venues, wildlife centers, public and private events. We have volunteer opportunities for Clinic and Education volunteers. There are many additional volunteer opportunities that do not involve direct handling of the birds: carpentry, construction, public relations, fundraising and donations. How you can help: You can help support the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center in several ways… Donate part of your Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend through the Pick.Click. Give program. Sign up for Amazon Smile, select Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center as your charity, and a percentage of your eligible purchases donated to us by Amazon. Through Fred Meyer Community Rewards using our ID# 85800, a portion of all the purchases are donated by Freddie’s to AWBRC. Use Humble Bumble for your online gaming and video purchases and select Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center as your charity. Check with your employer’s HR department to see if they offer a matching gift for your charitable donations. We appreciate the help!
AWBRC IS INVITING YOU TO JOIN US TO COME TO SPRING FOR THE BIRDS! Prime Rib Dinner and Auction on Saturday, March 30, starting at 5pm at the Palmer Moose Lodge, 1136 S. Cobb Street in Palmer. Come meet our education birds and learn about them, enjoy a delicious dinner while listening to Matanuska Muse play, and have fun at the Silent Auctions! We will have 180 painted wine glasses that are available to buy; hand painted, with birds and wildlife by local artists, especially for this event! For our live auction, we have an Alaska Railroad round trip ticket on the train to Fairbanks, artwork by renowned artists, and many other wonderful items to bid on!
THROWING TRASH “AWAY” IN THE MAT-SU MORE ON PAGE 2 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
Tickets for this fundraiser are available in Palmer, at NonEssentials and Cobb Street Market; in Wasilla at the Boardwalk Shop (701 E. Parks Hwy) and online at www.akwildbirds.org The mission of the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center is to care for injured, orphaned and sick wild birds with the goal of returning them to the wild; and to educate the public about these birds and their habitats.
MAT-SU REGIONAL BABY & CHILDREN’S FAIR MORE ON PAGE 3 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
AK GETS A SNEAK “PEAK” OF LOCAL FILM
MORE ON PAGE 9 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE
VPA PRESENTS: THE LITTLE MERMAID
MORE ON PAGE 15 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE
COMMUNITY & EVENTS
Contributed by Carol Montgomery In the January edition of The People’s Paper, we saw how Mat-Su came together to create Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS), and in February, what happens to recyclables after you bring them to VCRS. This month, we’ll see what happens to our trash, and why it’s important to keep as much material as we can out of the landfill. What happens when you throw stuff away? For most of us, “away” means a trash can that gets picked up at our curbside, or a dumpster that we expect will be emptied in a timely manner. Some of us haul our own trash to the landfill and toss it away, driving away feeling lighter and unburdened. But what happens to all that material once we dump it, or it gets hauled off? It’s tempting to think of landfills as a forgiving hole in the ground that will absorb our rapidly increasing amounts of waste, so that we never have to give it a thought. But unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Handling waste is a very expensive, technical and hazardous endeavor, far beyond what can be explained here, but the bottom line is, that landfills produce dangerous gases and create a highly toxic leachate. Increasing regulations to capture and regulate these toxins, along with the rapidly growing population in Mat-Su, have caused landfill costs to skyrocket. Landfill cells must be lined with expensive materials, and toxic leachate captured. The groundwater is monitored for potential leakage into subsurface aquifers the minute the first piece of waste is thrown into the new cell. It costs an average of 6 million to build a cell, 1.5 million a year to maintain it, and up to 3 million to close it. Each cell will last about 8 years, so that’s a total of 21.5 million dollars every 8 years.
Contributed by Lauralynn Robison Since the beginning of the Food Pantry of Wasilla in 1984, to the MatSu Food Bank in 2013, we have been providing nourishing food for thousands of people in need within our community. Our wonderful community has graced us over the years with enough food donations, so that we were able to make this happen daily from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Pantry. All year the MatSu Food Bank helps families, seniors, and children in need of food when their situation has changed, and they are unable to provide enough for themselves. We have different programs to meet the needs of our community, such as Food4Kids, Senior Boxes, TEFAP and of course the Pantry. There are Food Pantries in our valley who come to us to help stock their shelves, so they can assist our community in their areas. The MatSu Food Bank also supports other organizations and agencies, for example, the Christmas Friendship
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Who pays for this? You may be surprised to find that no tax dollars are used to fund the landfill. Instead, fees at the gate are still funding the entire operation. That is why fees have to go up when a big project like closing a cell and building a new one occurs.
annually in VCRS facilities payments and awards them a $75,000 grant to help with operating expenses. Since recycling began, in 1998, VCRS has kept 36,594,668 lbs. of material out of the landfill, saving approximately $3,293,530 in landfill space, or about 0.09 cents a pound.
The entire Crevasse-Moraine area, a popular trail system for skiers, hikers and bikers, is designated for future landfill space. Every time the landfill has to open a new cell it encroaches on this space.
During the current crisis in the recycling industry, VCRS continues to have committed buyers for its materials, even though the prices for some materials are so low they don’t cover costs. That is why VCRS recently created the Sustain Campaign to raise money that will serve as a financial safety net, covering operations when the markets go down, and unexpected events, such as equipment failures.
In order to save space and money, the landfill has created separate areas for brush and grass, and construction materials that don’t need to be in a lined cell. Hazardous materials are collected and stored in a separate building. On hazardous waste days (Wednesday and Saturday 10-3), the public can come and help themselves to labeled containers of paint, pesticides and other chemicals that are dropped off. Salvaging is not allowed in the construction and demolition area because of the danger involved. However, Mat-Su Valley Rebuild https://www.facebook.com/ matsuvalleyrebuild/, an emerging non-profit, is working toward diverting salvageable construction and household items from the landfill. And, the Borough Landfill Manager is exploring options to divert food waste and other organic materials so that they can be composted. But recycling is the key part of the plan to save landfill space. Dumping perfectly good materials such as cardboard and other paper, metal and aluminum cans, plastic bottles and jugs, and other recyclable materials into an expensive lined cell is a senseless waste that increases disposal costs for everyone. In order to keep these costs down, the Borough Assembly invests $52,000
With its building and new baler, VCRS staff can handle 5 times the amount it now collects – so it can meet the demands of the Valley’s rapid growth for years to come and is a great investment. You can find out more and donate to this campaign at http://valleyrecycling.org/how-canyou-help/sustain-campaign/. And you can always help the cause by recycling! If you haul your own trash to the landfill, you can reduce your weight at the scales by taking a right turn and driving into VCRS first, where you can drop off your clean and sorted cans, plastic bottles and paper and more for free. For a list of everything you can recycle, check out valleyrecycling. org. If you drop your trash at a Transfer Station, many of them have separate containers for certain recyclable items. If you prefer curbside pick up, Ready Recycles (907-745-4224) will pick up your recyclables curbside for a reasonable fee. Next Month: Fun Educational Opportunities Abound at VCRS!
Dinner, which serves 4000(+), a wonderful Holiday meal along with fellowship with a place to come eat, share, and take joy in the season on Christmas Day. While we are excited about all the donations of food for our valley, we have operating expenses each month, and as a non-profit, we look to our community for help with these costs too! We have several ways you can help us, help more people, by making a taxable donation using one of the following: Visit our web page, www. matsufoodbank.org, and select the “DONATE” button. You can link your Safeway, Fred Meyer Rewards cards and Amazon smile to MatSu Food Bank, and every time you shop, we receive money too. And best of all, you do not lose any of your rewards value! Fred Meyers is also collecting spare change at their cash registers. Don’t forget to Pick. Click. Give.! Look in the M’s for MatSu Food Bank.
We can take checks, credit cards and cash donations always! These are just a few of the ways to help us help our community. Tax season is ending April 15th, so keep us in mind for your charitable tax donation! The MatSu Food Bank wishes to thank everyone for all their continued support these past years, and many more years to come.
COMMUNITY & EVENTS
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Contributed by Katie Stark Baby & Children’s Fair 04/06/19 – 10 AM - 2 PM Mat-Su Regional Medical Center 2500 S. Woodworth Loop, Palmer FREE event Mat-Su Regional Medical Center will host its annual free Baby and Children’s Fair, Saturday, April 6, from 10 AM to 2 PM, at its main campus in Palmer. ‘Catch the Wellness Wave’ is the theme of this year’s fair, according to Alan Craft, Mat-Su Regional’s director of marketing and public relations, so all are encouraged and welcomed to wear their board shorts and sunglasses to the event. The annual health expo features vendor giveaways, raffles, free hearing and vision screenings, free car seat checks, parenting advice, tours of the Family Birthing Center, health education and games for children – including a bounce house and healthy snacks. “This is a great community event that draws a huge crowd. It’s one of the ways Mat-Su Regional proactively supports wellness and preventive care,” Craft said. Last year’s fair featured more than 30 healthcare, safety and educational service providers, and hosted approximately 700 attendees,
Contributed by Ryanne Ori Consign49 Spring Event April 11-13, 2019 – 9AM - 8PM & April 14 – 9AM - 5PM Raven Hall, State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer FREE Parking and Admission How would you like to score a like new Patagonia jacket for $30, or great condition Dansko brand shoes for $20? These are just a couple examples of the thousands of deals to be found at the upcoming 13th semi-annual Consign49 consignment event, to be held at Raven Hall, at the Alaska State Fairground on April 11-14th. Consign49 is a four-day event held each spring and fall, in which over 180 local community members bring new and gently used high quality clothing, accessories, and home décor items under one roof to form a large-scale resale pop-up. Come out and support members of the local
Contributed by Mary Ann Johnson Cystic Fibrosis Arts & Crafts Bazaar 04/13/19 – 10:00 AM Mat-Su Career & Tech High School (907) 841-6892 The Spring Cystic Fibrosis Bazaar will take place at Mat-Su Career & Technical High School on Saturday, April 13th, from 10AM to 4PM. The bazaar will feature handmade crafts, Alaskan made products, local businesses, and silent auction items, from more than 60 vendors. There will be a variety of fresh, warm, homemade soups, a baked potato bar, nachos, baked goods, snacks, and beverages. I have been coordinating fundraisers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the past 19 years. My involvement and passion for fundraising for this organization is very personal, having lost three siblings to the disease. In my years of fundraising, I have
according to Craft. This year’s event will feature more interactive and educational games for children, along with a warm, tropical theme. For families seeking a pediatrician or a family doctor, there will be several community providers and medical clinics at the event. For those expecting a baby or considering starting a family, the hospital’s maternity team will be conducting tours of the Family Birthing Center, which features hotel-like private birthing suites. For more information, visit the hospital’s website at MatSuRegional. com, or contact Alan Craft at 8616849, or Deena Straub at 861-6807. The hospital is located at 2500 S. Woodworth Loop in Palmer.
Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. It is a 109-bed acute care facility providing advanced surgical services, including robotics, advanced wound care, cardiac care, emergency services, diagnostic imaging, sleep studies, three urgent care centers, the Family Birthing Center and is home of the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge. In the past few years, Mat-Su Regional has earned a string of impressive honors, including being the first hospital in Alaska to earn accreditation as a Chest Pain Center from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care, and has twice been named among the Top 150 Places to Work in Healthcare by Becker’s Hospital Review.
community, while racking up some amazing savings! Each consignor individually prices and tags each item, and items are dropped off approximately one day before the sale begins. Consign49 volunteers work to inspect and organize all items, so everything can be easily shopped according to category and size. There is also a dedicated boutique section, in which local boutiques have brand new items for sale, often at discounted prices. In addition, there is “vendor row” where approximately twenty local businesses will have booths for sharing their products and services.
Additionally, many items that go unsold at the conclusion of the event are donated to local charities in need. Admission and parking are free, all major credit cards are accepted, and dressing rooms are available for trying on clothing items. Hours are 9am – 8pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and from 9am – 5pm on Sunday.
Consign49 owner, Ryanne Ori, says “this event benefits all involved, and is recycling at its best”. Consignors get to do some spring cleaning by clearing out no longer used items from their homes, while earning some extra cash. Shoppers get the opportunity to buy brand name items, or much needed seasonal items, for a fraction of retail prices.
If you are interested in becoming a consignor at the event, please go to www.consign49.com for more information. Consignor spots are limited and will be on a first come basis.
met many Alaskans living with the disease as well as the families, friends, and neighbors of people with Cystic Fibrosis. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those affected by the disease with the end goal of finding a cure.
of work to be done. The CF Bazaar is free and open to the public. It is a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, so please come out and support the cause. The silent auction will have lots of amazing items, some donated by the vendors and some from other community businesses.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. There is no cure. The efforts of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, using fundraising dollars to their maximum ability, have helped improve the quality and length of life for those suffering from the disease. In 1974, when my sister passed away at age 6, that was life expectancy for someone with CF.
Money raised from vendor fees, silent auction, food table, and other donations will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. You won’t want to miss out on the fun!
Now, average life expectancy is around age 45 and about half of those living with CF are over the age of 18. Our fundraising efforts are paying off, but there is still a lot
On Sunday, April 14th, many remaining items will be marked half price, depending on whether the consignor choses to put the item into the half-price sale, which will be marked with a dollar sign symbol on the tag.
Additionally, a limited number of vendor spaces are available. Please send an email to info@consgin49. com for more information.
If you are interested in participating as a vendor or would like to make a donation to the silent auction, please contact me. You can also help by visiting the bazaar Facebook page and sharing the event. Please like the page, share it often, and bring your friends and family out to shop and support the cause. www.facebook.com/ CysticFibrosisBazaar
HEALTH & COMMUNITY Contributed by Dori Cranmore R.N. The liver is the largest organ inside the body, with an amazing number of essential functions to perform. The liver transforms toxic compounds into non-toxic substances, filters blood from the intestines, produces bile, mixes essential nutrients, inactivates disease causing microorganisms, regulates glucose levels, stores fat-soluble vitamins, activates and deactivates hormones, provides a significant amount of the body’s heat and energy, helps regulates cholesterol and many other functions. How amazing! Unfortunately, when the liver becomes damaged or congested, it can adversely affect these functions, causing a deterioration of one’s health. Milk Thistle or Silybum marianum, has been used throughout the world for over 2000 years, and is one of the most
Contributed by Tony Delarm As cannabis and CBD products are becoming legal in more places, more and more research is helping to clarify its potential uses and dangers. CBD has been a hot topic, offering people relief from pain without side effects from “big pharma” medications. However, learning about these new products can be tough and we at Alaskan Sweet Vapes want to help
commonly recommended herbs. There have been over 200 clinical studies over the last 30 years demonstrating the liver-protective activity of Milk Thistle. The main active ingredient is Silymarin. The liver is up against multiple enemies constantly attacking it. Toxins such as environmental pollution, man-made chemicals (60,000+), processed foods, synthetic medications, viruses and disease are forever trying to interfere with the liver’s functions. Milk Thistle not only protects the liver against toxic damage, but it also increases the production of new healthy liver cells to replace damaged cells. Studies have shown that this herb helps increase the concentration of glutathione by 35%. Glutathione is a major antioxidant used to detoxify drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), hormones and chemicals. Tissue depletion of glutathione can be typically induced by moderate
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to heavy alcohol consumption. Besides the ability to protect the body from medication-induced liver damage it may also help psoriasis by reducing levels of circulating endotoxins. It has also been well indicated in patients with cancer who are under-going chemotherapy. This herb has been known to prevent the build-up of plaque in the arteries. It contains vitamins A, B-complex, C and minerals including iron. Milk Thistle has demonstrated no signs of toxicity, no restrictions on long-term use and no known contraindications or interactions with medications or ailments. Many midwifes use it for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy with excellent results. It has been said that if you have a ragweed allergy to avoid Milk Thistle as it may cause a rash. I was told by Dr. Hugo Rodier MD, that by the time liver enzyme blood levels are elevated, the body is already 50% malfunctioning somewhere. Some
educate our community. In this article, we will help you to differentiate between “weed that gets you high” and high CBD strains that can help alleviate pain without the “high”.
or more of CBD and maybe 2-5% of THC, sometimes none at all. This offers the ability to still function while dealing with pain, anxiety, or other ailments.
“CBD is typically the second-most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis, but this isn’t always the case” according to Leafly (2018).
The flip side is that someone with anxiety that ingests high THC may make it worse. A fair mix can have 1015% of both THC and CBD and offer a functional but stronger high, possibly for sleep or dealing with stronger pain.
And if you aren’t aware, there are several variations of cannabis plants known as “strains”. Each strain has a unique mix of CBD and THC, offering various effects. Some strains are High CBD with somewhere around 15-20%
Finally, a high THC strain, traditionally prized by classic smokers, offers little CBD and a high THC count around 15-20% or higher. These strains are not
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signs of decreased liver function are general tiredness, anger, fatigue, digestive upsets, constipation, allergies, chemical sensitivities and jaundice. Some foods that help keep a clean liver are beets, lemon, nuts, garlic, spinach, kale, Tumeric, Brussels sprouts and fresh tomatoes. Dori Cranmore is a Registered Nurse and owner of All About Herbs in Wasilla 376-8327. This information is for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose, treat or cure.
recommended for new smokers, or those that already have anxiety, it can make things worse and cause paranoia. Retail facilities across the state of Alaska have their strains labeled and are typically easy to decipher, once you know what you’re looking for. As always, more information is available at Alaskan Sweet Vapes, your new CBD HQ on 24 N. Yenlo St. Alaskan Sweet Vapes offers various products such as tinctures, gummies, and salves, all high in CBD. We do not sell THC and can help you find whatever it is you need, when it comes to CBD!
COMMUNITY Contributed by Brandi Kinney The Hunting Ground Viewing 04/17/2019 – 3PM 300 N Willow St. Wasilla FREE Event – (907) 373-4357 Did you know that in the state of Alaska, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men experience sexual assault? These rates make Alaska the highest-ranked state for sexual assault in the nation, at three times the national average. Please join MY House at Gathering Grounds Café for our 4th annual viewing of “The
Contributed by Donna Turner Once upon time, men regularly attended events at which black tie and white tie were worn. Formal meant white tie and tails while semi-formal referred to dinner clothes or tuxedoes. Those days are behind us, and we’ve been plunged into a world that no longer has the foggiest idea of the difference between formal and semi-formal. Today we’re breaking down the dress codes in terms even the most style-challenged man can understand. Here’s what formal and semi-formal mean. At its most basic, contemporary formal dress generally encompasses both white tie and black tie dress codes. Semi-formal, as the name implies, is slightly more relaxed – think a dark suit and a tie, or anything you’d refer to as “cocktail” dress. The primary physical difference between a tuxedo and a suit is the
Contributed by Melissa Keefe ALASKA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY BY APRIL 2 Palmer, Alaska – The Alaska State Fair invites Alaska high school students to apply for a 2019 Fair scholarship. The Fair will award $6,000 in scholarships to five students this year. All Alaska high school students planning to attend college or vocational school are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. The 2019 scholarship awards include $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second place, $1,000 for third place, and two honorable mentions of $500 each. Every student who submits a completed application will also receive two free admissions to the 2019 Fair.
Contributed by Mike Anderson, Office of US Senator Dan Sullivan In February 2019 U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) wrote the CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, to clarify Facebook Marketplace’s policies regarding the sale of products or artwork made with any “part, pelt or skin from an animal, including fur.” Senator Sullivan was made aware of the policy issue by the Sealaska Heri-
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Hunting Ground”. This documentary outlines sexual assault on college campuses, expanding on how college administration and society fails to hold the rapists/assailants accountable. Due to graphic content, we do ask that no one under the age of 14 attend this viewing without a guardian. In addition to this viewing, we will be hosting a community conversation on what we, as individuals, as a community, and as a state, can do to prevent sexual assault and help our victims heal.
presence of satin. Traditionally tuxedos have satin facing on the lapels, buttons, pocket trim, and a satin side stripe down the leg of the trousers. Suits don’t incorporate any satin and usually have either plastic buttons or buttons faced with the same fabric as the coat (aka self-buttons). Some modern tuxedo options have minimized the use of satin to a thin satin trim on the lapels and a thin satin bead down the pant leg, but the primary difference between the two is that tuxedos have satin on them, and suits don’t. Of course, to every rule there are exceptions. The tuxedo is the heart of formal dress. For the dressiest of occasions, bow tie is a must – a tailed jacket, white shirt and white bow tie. For slightly less starched occasions, black tie is the order of the day – a tailless jacket, black cummerbund or vest, and a black bow tie. Other events may call for morning dress, the daytime formal dress code, which consists of a morning coat, a vest and striped trousers. Note: Yes, you can choose a blue tuxedo if you want
All Alaska junior and senior high school students who plan to attend college or vocational school are eligible to apply. Students who applied last year should prepare a new application, as resubmissions from the previous year will be disqualified. APPLICATIONS SHOULD INCLUDE: >> Cover letter including student’s name, address, phone and email, school name and phone, counselor’s name, and the name of the college or vocational school he or she plans to attend. >> Extracurricular resume including interests, clubs, community service and/or employment >> One letter of recommendation >> A photo that may be used for publicity purposes >> Written essay (1,000 words or less) or creative project (audio, video,
tage Institute – which informed the Senator that Sitka skin sewer Robert Miller posted a sea otter hat for sale on Facebook and received a message saying it was not approved, because it didn’t meet Facebook’s commerce policies. Facebook has since indicated the removal of these ads was a mistake. However, Senator Sullivan is requesting greater clarity on the scope of prohibited items for Alaska Native craftsmen
for not so formal attire. For a formal event, don’t improvise. This is not the time for a black shirt (or any color other than white, for that matter), an expressive tie, or designer sneakers. Stick with the classics and look Rat Pack immaculate. Know your ties. Surprisingly it’s okay to either wear a black or white bow tie or opt for a plain black traditional neck tie. Remember, your formal wear should fit you! Be sure your pants aren’t too long and your jacket isn’t too loose. Your formal wear should fit like a sports car, not an SUV! A tuxedo would not be appropriate for a semi-formal event, but it’s still important to remain elegant, sophisticated and neat. A dark formal suit and tie are expected for semi-formal events in the evening. During daytime semi-formal events, lighter suits are acceptable (but keep shirts and ties towards the conservative end of the spectrum). Shoes should remain dressy and accessories, like pocket squares and wristwatches, should be understated. Do wear the right suit. A tuxedo is too much. A summer seersucker suit is too little. A dark wool, gabardine or cashmere suit is just right. If the event takes
place during the day, a lighter suit is an option. Don’t be afraid to ditch the tie. These days, it’s ok to go tie-less at semi-formal events. If you prefer the polished look that a tie provides, steer clear of anything too loud. Save the novelty neckwear for your office Christmas parties. Don’t under dress for the event. Note that semi-formal still includes the word “formal”. Dress accordingly. Khakis, jeans and shorts have no place at semiformal events. Neither do polo shirts or sneakers. Follow the Golden Rule. When in doubt, it’s better to over dress than under dress. If you’re deciding between two items, choose the more formal option. If you happen to show up to an event overdressed, you can “de-formal-fy” your outfit with little tricks like removing your tie. So, there you have it. Now you can boast to your far less fashion-savvy friends about the clear difference between formal and semi-formal. Remember, if you’ve been asked to rock up in formal attire, go for a tuxedo and don’t improvise or neglect the importance of fit. Donna Turner, D’s Tuxedo Formal Wear & Gifts (907) 707-6585
performance or visual arts, business plan, social media campaign, arts and crafts, photography, etc.). Please note that DVDs will not be accepted.
>> How would you use a 12-foot by 12-foot booth space at the Fair, to start your own business or to sell goods or services?
THE WRITTEN ESSAY OR CREATIVE PROJECT SHOULD ADDRESS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS: >> In light of the Fair’s mission statement (www.alaskastatefair.org/ site/about-us/), how can the Fair have a greater benefit on your community or in the state of Alaska? >> The Alaska State Fair is always looking for innovative and fun events, activities and contests that are free with fair admission to fairgoers. Create a new event, activity or contest that has minimal cost for the Fair. >> The Alaska State Fair’s primary purpose is to educate fairgoers. How could the Fair improve its educational programming to be more relevant to youth?
Ideas submitted become the property of the Alaska State Fair. Completed applications should be mailed or delivered to the Alaska State Fair, 2075 Glenn Hwy., Palmer, Alaska 99645, no later than 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2018. In 2018, the Fair awarded five scholarships to Alaska high school students: Claire Childs of Wasilla, Nick Edwards of Soldotna, Ruby Lindquist of Seward, Shyanne Massie of Wasilla, and Nigel West of Palmer.
and their customers around the world.
“Going forward, I hope we can work together to positively use the power of Facebook to the benefit of Alaska Native people and their communities. An important part of my work in the Senate is to try to correct the problems caused when public officials and entities like online vendors do not fully understand the unique circumstances of my constituents.”
“The Alaska Native community has for thousands of years used animal products for survival, subsistence, and as a key means of cultural expression,” Senator Sullivan wrote. “Inhibiting the sale of these items not only limits the cultural exchange Facebook has empowered the Alaska Native community to share, but also threatens one of the key economic opportunities in remote Alaska villages.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT ALASKASTATEFAIR.ORG OR CONTACT KELLY LARSON, FAIR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE RELATIONS, AT 907-746-7164 OR KELLY@ALASKASTATEFAIR.ORG
Senator Sullivan’s full letter to Mark Zuckerberg can be found online.
ADULT PIANO LESSONS Hitchcock Piano Studio ........ 745-3134 APPAREL & CLOTHING All Seasons Clothing ........ 357-0123 D’s Tuxedo ........ 707-6585 Mila’s Alterations ........ 830-8339 ART & CRAFTS Artists Uncorked… 982-2675 The Gallery ........ 745-1420 BOOKSTORE A Black Sheep Shop ......... 376-8198 Black Birch Books ...... 373-2677 Fireside Books ........ 745-2665 CAFÉ & COFFEE Alaska Artisan Coffee ........ 745-5543 Gathering Grounds ........ 376-4404 Vagabond Blues……..745-2233 CANNABIS RETAILER Matanuska Cannabis Co. ...... 745-4211 CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT Artists Uncorked ........ 982-2675 EDUCATION Learning Essentials ........ 357-3990 FOOTWEAR Northern Comfort ........ 376-5403 HEALTH & WELLNESS All About Herbs ........ 376-8327 Just Botanicals ....... 414-3663 Lone Wolf Aura ........ 631-0482 HOME DÉCOR Peak Boutique ........ 746-3320 PIZZA Humdingers Pizza ........ 745-7499 PHLEBOTOMY SERVICES Valley Phlebotomy ........ 376-6435 PRINT SERVICES The UPS Store ........ 746-6245 REPAIR, RESTORATION Comtronics ........ 373-2669 S&S Drilling ...... 746-0225 The Powdercoat Shop .... 841-1300 SPECIALTY GIFTS Alaska Midnite Scents ........ 357-7364 Non-Essentials ........ 745-2258 The Boardwalk Shop ........ 357-8980 TANNING The Tanning Hut ........ 376-3324 THRIFT SHOPS Steam Driven Boutique ........ 376-4404 Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Stores ........ 376-5708 TOYS Just Imagine Toys ........ 357-1543 Learning Essentials .......... 357-3990
COMMUNITY & OPINION Contributed by Taylor Jordan My name is Taylor Jordan and I’m the proud owner of Black Birch Books, your community’s bookstore and a safe gathering place for all. I love and embrace our diverse community in the Mat-Su Valley. I built a small business within its heart and I couldn’t be more honored by your patronage. By my natural character foundation and my prior military and law-enforcement experience, I’m a warrior. That’s not meant to induce a threat or sound combative, it’s meant to describe a person who will never stand for discrimination or bullying. Someone who will pick up the pieces of their fellow man and help them improve their quality of life. The mid-February Politics and Opinions page within The People’s Paper had me a little heartbroken. I read an article focused on the part LGBTQ plays within our educational system within our community. I sincerely appreciate the author of the article sharing her perspective and I hope me sharing mine is valued in the same light of “uncompromising truth, knowledge and bravery.” I’m proud to say I consistently and openly support people of all faiths, races, mental illnesses, criminal backgrounds, addictions and gender or sexual preferences. It’s proven every day in every conversation I have with anyone. Imagine if I wasn’t so brazenly supportive. Imagine walking into my bookstore with your autistic child and need-
ing a book on child autism. What if I responded by telling you that your child was deformed, an abomination of the genetic code, and something I refused to accommodate in my establishment?... It just made me feel sick, writing that hypothetical. Refusing to serve you would be legal, but would it be ethical? All you needed was help to understand. Anything! Desperation may have led you to me and I would’ve dismissed you. Let me tell you now, I could never. Imagine a school which didn’t support awareness for some children being different. What if no one ever taught you why the deaf child spoke differently? “Why do they have some adult with them all the time? Are they stupid or something?” In the 1800’s it was determined that deaf people were not competent. Luckily for us, we learned about tolerance, empathy and were educated about people who are deaf in our young school-age years. We didn’t get infected by their disability, did we? It wasn’t a psychological ploy of the deaf agenda, was it? To quote the opinion article, “Parents, I say to you: There is an enemy in the public school…” My response to that is to continue by stating, the enemy is the intolerance and prejudice of adults who may fail to recognize the beauty of different. To quote J. K. Rowling, “Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.” Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We teach crafting and world religion classes at the bookstore with the strict rule, the classes are always educational
FAITH & COMMUNITY Contributed by Cheryl Zehr We, Glenn and Cheryl Zehr, new to Alaska, are starting a new Messianic congregation in the Matsu Valley. In 2006, after visiting Israel, we discovered a Messianic congregation near the Bible College where Glenn was a student, and we were blown away by all the wonderful things we learned from Rabbi Jim Appel. When Glenn graduated, and after living for almost a year in Israel, we eventually started our own Messianic Fellowship under Rabbi Jim’s leadership in Glenn’s hometown area. We continued leading that home congregation for nearly 10 years. Now that we are in Alaska, we feel called to start a Messianic congregation here. We will be worshiping our savior and Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus’ original Hebrew Name), crucified and risen redeemer, the lamb of God who was slain to take away the sin of the world, and we will be learning from his word. Yeshua is Immanuel, HaShem (Almighty God) himself, come in the flesh who created the nation of Israel through his mighty arm and outstretched hand, and who designed the Jewish society. The Torah is his word; the Jewish culture is his idea; and he lived it perfectly and obediently when he walked this earth. If we deny Yeshua Jewishness, we do not fully know him. He is our living master, dwelling within us as the Ruakh HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), teaching us the intent and full application of Torah. His Sermon on the Mount was the beginning of that. Learning about the biblical Torah is one way to get to know our Messiah better. Living it helps us to understand
him and his word even more. His word is life and life-changing power. He is the word that was in the beginning with God and he was God. He is the very word that brought the world into existence, that spoke the Torah from the holy mountain, and spoke the rest of scripture through the prophets and apostles. His words healed the sick and raised the dead. Through his word today, he is raising us up to new life in him. No one else’s words can be equal to Yeshua’s words. He said, “Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). The same cannot be said about any Sage or Rabbi or Pastor or any believer’s words, unless they are quoting Scripture. That is the Yeshua we worship, taking his yoke upon us and learning from him, obeying his commandments because we love him and want to serve him as our m aster and LORD. We will hold our services on Shabbat (Saturday) afternoons from 4 pm to 7 pm or so. We will open with shofar blowing (bring yours if you have one), the men’s Tallit blessing (if you have one, bring it), and the Shema. We will have a worship time, singing both English and Hebrew songs. Eventually, as we grow and learn, we will include Davidic dancing. We will break for refreshments, which everyone will bring to share. (Kosher only, please.) Then we will do the blessing over the Torah and Brit Hadashah (New Covenant/Testament) and Pastor Glenn will give a teaching/ sermon, which will be followed by a time of discussion and intercessory prayer. On occasion, we hope to close with the Havdalah ceremony.
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and never persuasive. I’ve had classes on Paganism, The Church of Latter-Day Saints, Hinduism, the history of modern Christmas, American Sign Language, crochet and I have a ton more to come! These classes are attended by all faiths and walks of life, so they can learn. I’ve only ever had backlash from a few religious extremists within our community. Their opinions were, the education of the devil worshiping religions or faiths not of their personal gods were abominations and sinful. To quote Harper Lee, “Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than whiskey bottle in the hand of another.” To Kill A Mockingbird. I follow no political agenda. I don’t even have a concern for backlash against my business, because of the parts of our community I see every day. I see wonderful, helpful people who are astounded by generosity and acceptance, who want nothing more than to stay a while in that sort of safe and loving environment. Short, tall, male, female, whatever you call yourself, handicap, ugly, loud, Catholic or lawyer, I will welcome you and you will feel welcomed. You may even learn a thing or two! To quote E.B. White, “Why did you do all this for me?” he asked. “I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.” “You’ve been my friend.” replied Charlotte. “That in itself is a tremendous thing.” – Charlotte’s Web. I value your time and I appreciate you reading my thoughts on paper. I would love to hear your thoughts in the next issue of The Peoples Paper or in person. I would be honored.
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Otherwise, we will let you do that at home. There will be no childcare in the beginning until the Lord provides staff to care for babies and toddlers. We welcome children. We like to include children in our services. Whenever there are children present, we will have a story/lesson and a couple songs for them during the service. Yeshua said, “Let the little children come to me and do not forbid them, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 19:14).” It is good for us all to witness childlike faith. Eventually, we may add an earlier Liturgy service a half hour or so before the regular service. On Tuesday nights, starting on March 5, from 6:00-7:30 pm, we will have a special ongoing class, introducing Messianic Judaism from Scripture, using Rabbi Jim Appel’s book. Then from 7:30 to 9:00 pm, we will study the Torah Parashah, Haftorah, and Brit Hadasha readings. Eventually, we will have a Hebrew class on Thursday nights, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm ($10 per person), and possibly also a Bible study class on Monday nights, teaching the basics of the Gospel. Everyone is welcome to come worship and learn with us! We meet at the Journey Church (3060 N. Lazy Eight Ct, in the Crossroads Shopping Plaza, behind Little Millers coffee shop), from 4 pm to 7 pm or so on Saturdays. See more on our Facebook page: Facebook.com/ MatsuValleyMessianicCongregation Email: matsuvalleymessianic@gmail.com
COMMUNITY & EDUCATION Contributed by Rabbi Mendy Greenberg As proclaimed nationally and by a joint resolution in the State Legislature, Education and Sharing Day Alaska will be held this year, This year, the Mat-Su Valley will be celebrating this day with a TED talk style evening featuring local professionals and resources. Titled, “Big Ideas for Positive Parenting”, this event promises to provide real solutions and address some of the struggles all parents face on a daily basis. Therapist Lori Houston of Playful Journeys will share impactful ways to strengthen the family unit. Learn some
great tips for keeping your children healthy in mind, body, and spirit with Dr. Bruck Clift, family practitioner. Relate to the real experiences and emotions involved in raising children with love and faith, from local parenting author Shelly Wedge, LPA. Discover some new ways to strengthen the home-school connection that is vital for your child’s success, with Justin Ainsworth, executive director of instruction with the school district. The evening will be held on April 10, 2019 at 6 pm at Twindly Bridge Charter. There will be a simultaneous children’s entertainer at the venue so that parents do not need to arrange sitters. The program is free; dinner will be available for purchase. This event is open to the public and all are invited and encouraged to attend. Please do
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not bring outside food to the venue; closed beverages will be allowed. For more information or to register, visit matsujewishcenter.org/bigideas or call Rabbi Mendy at 350-1787. History of Education Day In 1978, in recognition of his efforts, the Rebbe’s birthday was established by the US Congress and president as “Education and Sharing Day USA”. This national day has been celebrated every year for the past four decades, to raise awareness and strengthen education. The Rebbe was a tireless advocate for enhancing and bettering what makes our country so unique and special. He referred to the U.S.A. as “a nation of kindness”, as it is based on the inherent value that all human beings are
POLITICS & OPINION Contributed by Sara Williams It was recently brought to my attention that the Governor’s proposed budget guts the Division of Agriculture funding and reverses all funding for writing regulations that will govern the hemp industry in Alaska. First, let’s discuss our reality here in Alaska. We are at least 90% dependent on barges and air freight to bring in the goods and commodities that we enjoy in our lives but more importantly the food. The fruits and vegetables and food on the shelves of the grocery stores in Alaska are predominately shipped in from out of state, therefore if we miss a barge the people will be starving and fighting each other for food, not material things. Food security is something that is a daily struggle in many households in Alaska and it doesn’t have to be. THE ANSWER IS HEMP. Hemp is the single plant that could bring Self Sustainability to Alaska. The hemp plant can make 50,000 different products in categories such as biodegradable plastics, textiles, building materials, cosmetics, food, medicine, paper and my personal favorite, biofuel. The versatility of the plant can bring such innovation statewide, that we empower our Native communities to create products for statewide use and global export. The
Contributed by Sandy May Shake, Rattle and Roll 7.0 03/23/19 – 5:00 PM Mat-Su Republican Women’s Club Evangelo’s Restaurant 2530 E Parks Hwy, Wasilla Tickets are $60 in advance & $70 at the Door The Mat-Su Valley is the home of an amazing group of dedicated citizens who work to support conservative values and candidates. The Mat-Su Republican Women’s Club was established in 1947 and is the oldest Republican club in the state. The club was instrumental in organizing the Alaska Federation of Republican Women and is affiliated
industry is rich with job opportunities and investors who want to innovate these products for worldwide consumption. This is what Alaska needs to succeed and compete globally. Alaska has millions of acres of land that could be used to grow hemp. Alaska’s unique weather requires indoor growing for year-round production, however it only takes one summer growing season to grow and it is an amazingly easy to grow outdoor crop. One acre of hemp is equal to 2-4 acres of trees in fiber production. One acre of hemp is also equal to 1-3 acres of cotton. The plant is a miracle from God and Alaskans need that right now. The hemp industry will be the single most transformational industry to Alaska, if we let her grow. She will create jobs in the industry as well as ancillary support jobs. She will create new infrastructure needs as communities all over Alaska realize the versatility and capability of the plant and grow to support her. Entirely new cities will be built and people from all over the World will come to Alaska to help build the hemp industry. Growth brings its own challenges and we will do our best to anticipate those challenges, but we can’t play small any longer. Great things are still in store for Alaskans. We experience such a high
with the National Federation of Republican Women. On the national level, our dues make each one of our members a member of both federated clubs. Through our membership, we are able to assist with campaigning in other states as well as Alaska, to work toward election of strong Republican candidates. Additionally, we are able to financially support some non-profit organizations in the Matsu Borough. The Matsu is also fortunate to have the Valley Republican Women of Alaska. Both clubs work toward the same goals of supporting the conservative, Republican agenda. Now, more than ever, we need strong conservative elected officials from the local level to the national level.
created equal in the image of G-d, and therefore, deserving of equal rights. Specifically, the Rebbe took a special interest in the future of our nation: the children, the next generation. Today’s modern society is very different from the previous generations, and with it, we are presented with new challenges to raising our children with kindness, compassion, and faith. We are, by necessity, career driven, continuously distracted by technology and social media, and it is more difficult to find opportunities for quality bonding time with our children. Education Day is a time to pause and reflect on our parenting to ensure we are instilling the morals, ethics and values that are so integral to a raising our children to be kind, conscientious adults.
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suicide rate because hope is missing, and the hemp industry brings hope. HEMP FOR HEALTHCARE. Jesus spoke to me in September of the phrase hemp for healthcare and I have traveled development of this idea now for 6 months. I have organized and executed hemp for healthcare luncheons and presented to local leaders this idea. I have purchased the domain name hempforhealthcare.com and I actively seek investors for the beginning E-Commerce phase that will fund the advocacy for this program. Hemp has a vast potential to create many different products for the betterment of humanity. Alaska needs a new tax revenue source and a new health care system. Let’s connect the two. Here’s the plan: Tax the Hemp industry at 20% of the wholesale purchase of the hemp plant product to be paid monthly by the cultivation business including flowers, stems, leaves, seeds and even roots. Each business can earn a 5% tax deduction if they dedicate at least 10% of their grow space, whether indoor or outdoor, to fruits and vegetables to be provided to the local communities at reasonable sales price set by the business. This tax revenue source will then be directed towards a “healthcare fund”.
Each year, the Matsu Republican Women’s Club hosts a variety of fundraising events, but our annual spring event is our largest. Without successful fundraising, we cannot continue with our assistance. Our spring event will be held on March 23, 2019 at Evangelo’s Restaurant in Wasilla. Our theme is Shake, Rattle and Roll 7.0, and has a 1950’s theme. An admission ticket includes social hour from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM. This is a time when attendees can visit with our elected officials who are in attendance. Dinner and the program begin at 6:00 pm. This year’s dinner will be Evangelo’s delicious Halibut Olympia, or Prime Rib with sides included. Dessert will be
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This fund will pay for healthcare needs of all Alaskan residents. In time of course. In the early years of this program, it can be directed towards the Medicaid system to expand services. The entire healthcare system will need an overhaul and to become much more centralized for the betterment of the residents. I believe many doctors would prefer a salary-based payment structure over the massive headache that insurance companies are to deal with. In the end this creates a human focused healthcare system instead of a profits focused healthcare system. ALASKA NEEDS HEMP. Alaska needs agriculture for selfsustainability and the ability to one day stand as our own country, not dependent upon the volatile and unstable world but to be self -sufficient in the ability to care for our people so that all they may miss if we miss a barge is material things but at least they have food, shelter and fuel and all the other things that the Hemp plant can create. The time is now. If we live in fear and cut this vital service, we miss out on an opportunity to use the land God gave us in a way that will save the world, starting with saving Alaskans. Sara Williams is an advocate for Hemp in Alaska. Her political platform Hemp for Healthcare is driven by her personal struggles with the healthcare system in Alaska, and she is seeking investors and donors for this project to become a reality. She can be reached at 907-8876130 or hempforhealthcare@gmail.com.
a dessert dash, with many delectable goodies from which to choose. A cash bar will be open for the entire event. Silent and live auctions will take place and, this year we will have a wall of guns. We are very honored to have Governor Mike Dunleavy as our speaker. Tickets are $60 if purchased early and $70 at the door. They are available on our website, matsurepublicanwomensclub.org or on our Facebook page under events. There are links for paying securely on PayPal. For questions, feel free to contact Sandy at (907) 315-3297 or Carolyn at (907) 903-9353. Come spend a fun evening with us!
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POLITICS & OPINION Contributed by Lance Roberts When people ask me what being a conservative means, my first response is always that “people are more important than government.” The last four years we had a State administration that didn’t think that way. Instead of using a glideslope approach to decreasing the huge State budget, the largest per-capita in the U.S., it
Contributed by Michael Backus At a recent town hall meeting, I talked with and heard from people who claimed our schools are failing. This is a slap in the face and tremendously disheartening for me. I work hard to do my very best every day for my students. I cannot help but wonder whether part of this animosity towards our schools is fueled by a desire to avoid an income tax. It certainly would help one sleep easier if they justified their decision to support budget cuts with the notion that schools waste money.
refused to make the hard decisions and kept trying to squeeze blood out of Alaskans with a litany of taxes. They succeeded in implementing a tax on the PFD, which mathematically affects those with a lower income more than those with a higher income. This last year, the voters had had enough and put Governor Mike Dunleavy in office to protect Alaskans from an insatiable government, to be the adult in the room and bring us a sustainable, balanced budget. He kept his word, and brought forth a
education. This simple fact is due in large part to Alaska’s commitment to build a high school in any community with at least 15 high school aged children. We spend a lot on education because we committed ourselves to providing quality education to as many children as possible when we had the money to do so.
Even if this were true, the argument is flawed. If our military were doing a poor job of protecting our country, would we cut their budget? If law enforcement or firefighters were doing a poor job, would we cut their budgets?
Now that we can no longer rely on oil revenue to maintain our prior commitments, I understand something must change. In fact, most teachers have come to expect and accept such change. In all my years as a teacher, I have never heard our principal say, “Good, news, class sizes are going down,” or “Guess what, you’re all getting a raise.” Instead, we have come to expect shorter prep times, larger classes, and pay that does not keep pace with inflation.
Of course not. Then why does anyone even bother to make this argument? If schools are wasting money, then our job is to hold them accountable by electing good school boards. If you see waste or have ideas for spending money more efficiently, talk to your school board. To be fair, Alaska does spend a lot of money per student on
That said, cutting $300 million in funding for schools across Alaska in a single year will have a devastating impact on our children. While I expected class sizes to go up when Dunleavy got elected, I never fathomed he would do so much damage so quickly and irresponsibly. If we are going to balance our budget, let’s do it in a way that
Contributed by Huhnkie Lee I went to Walmart in Anchorage midtown yesterday. It was a long day and I was going to have a late lunch at McDonald’s in the Walmart. It was February 22nd of 2019, 2:30 PM. I parked my car and went inside the store. Probably the last time I went to that Walmart was about five months ago, as I no longer live in Anchorage. I live in the Valley now. So, I went inside, and was very surprised to find that there are so many, I mean many, Asians there. Mostly, they seem to be Chinese seniors over their 60’s and 70’s. I heard them speak to each other and I think they were speaking Chinese, though I am not sure.
quite a scary feeling. At first, I was thinking, “Are these Seniors visiting Alaska as tourists? If so, they are welcome guests, as they come here and spend their money and that is good for the Alaskan economy.” Then it occurred to me, “But this is February in Alaska. And Alaskan winter isn’t typically when international tourists come to visit. Then, what’s going on here?” Those Asian senior ladies and gentlemen do not look like tourists at all, to me. The way they dress, the way they dine in Walmart McDonald’s, like I often do, and the way they comport themselves. I do not think they are tourists. They give me an impression of immigrants. Some kind of immigrants.
I am an Asian myself. I was born in the U.S., but I grew up in S. Korea. I moved back to America about two decades ago, after graduating a high school in Seoul. So... no, I have absolutely nothing against Asians or Chinese, as I am one of them.
Immigration is not an easy topic to discuss in public, because it involves the topic of race. Race, that’s one topic that everyone tries to avoid talking about. Because it is a very sensitive issue, and it can generate an emotional response, rather quickly and profoundly. But someone has to talk about it, because it’s important. Ladies and gentlemen... allow me, please.
But, nonetheless, I couldn’t help this feeling of alarm in my heart. It was
Basically, it’s like this. This is a pure speculation on my part. I’m going to
budget that doesn’t require dipping into savings. Because he had to do in one year what should have been done in five, it is a very different, smaller budget than anyone is used to. This has created stress among the affected user groups, and they will all be testifying to the legislature on how they’d like that changed. That is representative government, and they should be encouraged to do so. What I’d like to recommend is that those who voted for Governor
prioritizes what we value and what will make our community a great place to live and our economy strong 30 years from now. At the very least, let’s phase these changes in over several years so that we can develop a good plan. Perhaps we need to revisit how we serve rural communities. Perhaps 15 high school aged children is too low a number. Perhaps we need to consider regional boarding schools. Perhaps school districts on the road system need to cut programs. Honestly, I don’t know. I do know it will take time to sort this out and come up with a good solution. When Walker pushed the legislature to balance the budget, and then cut the PFD when they failed to act, Dunleavy declared the need to balance the budget premature. He advocated waiting until there was more pressure to reduce the size of government. In short, he was part of the problem. Now, his solution is even worse. As a lifelong Alaskan who has seen how our political discourse has been contaminated by our desire to maintain the PFD at all costs, I cannot help but laugh every time I see or hear Dunleavy’s slogan to “stand tall for
present you a theory. I do not know whether it’s true or not, and I have zero evidence to support the theory. But it is a logical possibility, if not a plausibility or probability, let alone reality. The theory is that, Chinese government paid a huge group of seniors to come here in Alaska, as a backdoor to America, so that they all become U.S. citizens. Why? The Chinese seniors are all aged and retired. They are liability to Chinese government and working people in China. Chinese government did this calculation: “Paying for a one-way airline ticket to America and paying for an American immigration lawyer. One-time payment of those two items is a lot cheaper than paying for the welfare and health care of this Chinese senior, for decades until the senior dies. So, yeah... We, the Chinese government, will give all these retired Chinese seniors some money, and send them all to Alaska, so that our Chinese taxpayers don’t have to pay for these old folks’ welfare anymore. We will pay American immigration lawyers too, so that the lawyers would get the Chinese seniors American citizenships. Problem solved. Hello, money!” Is this what happened? Is that why the Anchorage Walmart is so full of Chinese senior ladies and gentlemen? If so, I request Alaskan and American politicians to do something about it. In general, I think Alaska is being used
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Dunleavy, because they wanted an honest politician with that kind of approach, to send emails or call the legislature and ask them to keep the real fiscal goals in mind: a sustainable, balanced budget, a full PFD and no new taxes. You don’t have to agree with every decision the Governor made in the budget, don’t worry, the legislature will surely modify it and end up taking money out of savings to cover the difference. In the end though, we definitely have to keep moving towards the goal or we’ll always have a government that thinks the people are only there to supply it money.
Alaska.” Who is he standing up to? What is he standing for? Walker stood for balancing the budget in a responsible way. Dunleavy just promised to give Alaskans a bunch of money if they voted for him. Part of the problem is that when we go to the polls, we focus on what is best for ourselves. In the coming years, I am not too concerned about the welfare of my family. My wife and I have decent jobs and my experience as a teacher has given me the ability to ensure my children are prepared for the workforce regardless of the quality of our schools. Voting for candidates that promise me a larger PFD serves my own interests. I am writing this letter because I look at my students and I know that they are not so lucky. Most of them have no realistic alternative to public education. They need a good education if they are going to be successful later in life. If you care about Alaska and you care about the community your children will live in 30 years from now, I urge you to stand tall for Alaska’s children by supporting a three-pronged solution that involves budget cuts, using part of the PFD, and an income tax. For a great YouTube video that explains our complicated budget crisis in simple terms, take a look at: http://www.akfuture. org/an-introduction-to-alaska/
as a backdoor to illegal immigration to America. Not just by China, but by many governments, who want to dump all the undesirable people of their country to America. I am not a huge fan of President Trump, and that’s why I’m running against him in 2020 presidential election. But I have to agree with President Trump that countries like El Salvador, they would be very happy to send of their worst criminals to America. Why? Because they, those countries who send off their criminals to America, are killing two birds with one stone. First, they are getting rid of crimes in their countries by sending criminals off to America. Second, they are saving a lot of money too, as they no longer need to feed those criminals in the prisons in their countries. These smart countries are using America as a dumpster, as a trash can. Do you recall how the mighty light of the world, the Roman Empire fell? Barbarians from the north invaded the Empire and it fell. Mind you, the Empire at that time had the strongest military, and the most advanced technology. Rome fell, not by some powerful competing empire, but by barbarians. I do not want this to happen to America. That’s why I’m running for president in 2020. President Trump is incapable of protecting America, for he is too old. I am young and able. Vote for me.
POLITICS & OPINION Contributed by Wes Keller News about the Alaska annual budget feeding frenzy causes most of us something between revulsion and angry frustration. Even if you are/have been engaged in the Juneau budgeting circus first hand, it is confusing and sobering to assimilate the countless bits and pieces of news we hear about the annual government overspending event. It is almost impossible to guess whether any particular person involved is acting as a noble public servant or is driven by self-interest. Frankly, I doubt if any of us knows for sure about our own motives regarding state spending! We all like the prosperity that springs from government over-spending! Forget, for a moment, the hackneyed question, “What (who) are we going to cut?” Focus on the more fundamental question, “Why” do we chronically over-spend? The media is looking for anyone who will predict shortages and disaster from budget cuts because of common, morbid interest. It is uncomfortable to analyze “Why?” compared to speculating who will get the ax! We underestimate the raw power of Alaska government’s “will to spend”. In Juneau, institutions ‘mine’ for State
Contributed by Robert Griffin The idea of slow-moving government employees working just a bit faster than snow melts in April is a tried and true American comedy trope. Most of us chuckle watching the fastmoving rabbit police officer in Disney’s “Zootopia” struggle with cartoon sloths at the city’s Department of Motor Vehicles and remember those times we’ve had a poor interaction with some functionary in some government office. With the 2018 election behind us and the new legislative class elected, our representatives head to Juneau in the near future. Many ran on promises of reining in government spending. Some have even worked to find ways to better manage our public purse in the past. With more than 17,000 full and part-time employees, the amount our state government spends to administer programs and provide public services should be closely examined. How do Alaskans know that their government is using public money
Contributed by Vic Kohring “Kill ‘em with kindness.” Charisse Millette, my former staff assistant and future legislator used to say this when encountering rude and difficult people in my Juneau office years ago. Instead of challenging or arguing with a constituent, Charisse would remain polite and respectful, and not give in to the temptation of fighting back simply for the sake of winning an argument. I’ve remembered her advice and try to adhere to it to this day. The fast-paced world of 2019 seems more stress-filled and pressure-packed than ever, with more people on edge than I’ve ever witnessed. The slowmoving, little sleepy town of Wasilla has given way to a metropolis reminiscent of a chaotic southern California suburb. Each day I deal with difficult situations from aggressive drivers on the road to people dashing to and fro in the gro-
and Federal dollars using previous year’s money to hire lobbyists (or by using their employees)! Children, seniors, poor, and needy are flown in from all over the state, often at State expense, to appeal to heartstrings for funding. Legislators may squirm at this disingenuous element, but risk being labeled as anti-children, anti-woman, anti-elderly, anti-native... if they dare to challenge it. The labeling and related fights make far more interesting news than fixing the problem. The mantra for the budget circus should be, “All is fair in love, war, and budget negotiations (scrambling for revenue)!” I have come to believe our Alaska spending “habit” is far more like a “disease” than we care to admit, similar to Stage IV cancer or a powerful drug addiction. WHY does Alaska have a visceral need to spend, spend, spend? Following are excuses I have heard and/or used. Please consider them and add to the list if you can... Maybe it’s not too late to reform Alaska’s spending habits: Federal “bait” money makes state spending irresistible (if the state agrees to spend a dollar, the feds promise tens, even hundreds of matching revenue dollars – in exchange, of course, for their control (regulations) of programs. Our State offices become more like federal outposts. General belief the government is
effectively? How do we know we are getting the best bang for our buck? During the budget debates in early 2018, members of both the House and Senate dug deep and uncovered more than 1,500 “funded but unfilled” positions, according to Rep. Cathy Tilton’s office, the total cost of which added more than $150 million to the budget. Dozens of amendments with specific cuts were introduced, only to be summarily dismissed. According to a study published by the Alaska Policy Forum, the average Alaska government employee was compensated $105,759 in 2016. A worker in the private sector doing the same kind of work was compensated $68,152. Alaska has more than twice the number of people on its payroll than the national average. The bottom line in the study? Alaska paid $1.7 billion more than the U.S. average for the provision of government services. Some of the same legislators who have been digging into the books of our government agencies and their departments have expressed frustration at being unable to know
cery store and cutting in front of you, to curt people on the phone who wish to debate rather than engage in cordial conversation. I found the same thing in the political arena, where many selfcentered pols clammer to get ahead and don’t think twice stepping on others to advance their careers. When facing conflict, no matter how wrong you think a person may be, whether a customer in the case of business or a voter in the case of politics, it’s important to make them feel they’re always right despite how wrong you think (and know) they are. Or at least make them feel their point of view is respected and merits consideration. Otherwise, you may win the argument and experience a brief feeling of satisfaction, but you’ve lost their support if they’re made to feel beat or put down. There’s a place for calling people out, to hold them to account for their bad behavior, but most often we should look the other way and avoid confron-
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infinitely rich and benevolent. To apply this excuse, you MUST believe lies and pretend man is intrinsically “good” so government will function as a loving “nanny”.
I have come to believe MOST, sleep very well at night because they do their assigned jobs with diligence and integrity. Some, however, get paid for plotting to get more state revenue!
Pseudo-compassion for children, elderly, orphans, widows, poor and abused. In reality, they are often used to appear as ‘poster-children’ to make it difficult to deny funding. In reality, organizers almost always have unacknowledged and undeclared serious potential conflicts of interest. Constitutional flaws. 1. Imbalance of powers which increases administrative influence and reduces electorate influence. The implication of this is huge! 2. The assignment of billions of “pre-tax” resource riches deposited directly into the State checking account. Alaskans tend to forget their ownership to the point they tolerate government presumption of ownership. (http://weskeller.com/crueljoke/)
The most successful “miners” sincerely believe in their particular mission. Unions (particularly public employee unions). Government jobs have become the favored and best jobs.
Liberal “tax-and-spend” politicians, Democrats and Republicans-inname-only (RINOs), who are greedy for power. It is commonly believed that once elected, politicians renege on campaign promises and join the feeding frenzy! Ask yourself, why do they get re-elected? Geographic isolation of the budget process. Juneau is essentially on a virtual “island” largely controlled by State employees, paid lobbyists, and contractors. Greedy government employees. This one is profoundly offensive to be sure.
specifically where to start cutting. Like being stuck in jungle vines and finding yourself unable to swing your machete, the complex nature of government operations and, frankly, bureaucrats protecting their taxpayer-funded fiefdoms are preventing our elected officials from undertaking meaningful steps to reduce inefficiency and wasteful duplication in state offices. The Alaska Policy Forum has also shed light on this problem. Further analysis of government payrolls, grouping positions by function, and then comparing these functions to private sector equivalents and national averages has uncovered 15 areas where focused attention should be paid. For example, if we were able to reduce the cost and number of government employees providing financial services (like accounting, budgeting, or purchasing) to the national average of state-paid finance employees, Alaska could save $62 million. Why does Alaska, a state with relatively few miles of roadways, have more
tation. Politely express your opinion and then leave it at that. Jesus called it turning the other cheek, meaning don’t engage in personal retaliation. It’s a form of shaming others into correcting their behavior, but also a form of witnessing to others and letting them know you have God living in your heart by displaying the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. I’m only human and frequently err when dealing with people, failing to uphold the high standards I expect others to follow. One of the most difficult things for me is to be longsuffering and patient with people who don’t meet my standards of conduct, who appear as selfish narcissists and think only of themselves. Once while in office, I had to deal with a certain colleague’s jealousy, a tactless individual man who claimed to support me but would then undermine me. During a special session of the legislature, my colleague went out of his way to say derogatory things to a reporter about me over false allegations that I did not live in my district, throwing fuel on the fire and hurting my standing
Given salary, benefits, and short tenure time, a government job has become a career preference. Biased Media. This seems to be a universal phenomenon. Lazy, incompetent population. Some Alaskans seem to believe if the government fails to provide aid, many would surely die. They are driven by the fear they may be unable to care for themselves. If any or all of these factors are true, we have the tools to fix it! The People of Alaska are the state “sovereigns” regarding every item on the list. With the authority vested in us (under the Sovereignty of our Creator), we can maintain Alaska state government “by” (and “for”) the people, or, we will “own” the consequences. We need to support Governor Dunleavy efforts to have an honestly balanced budget and somehow change our spending habits. Frankly, I doubt we have the will do it! The big spenders will never rest or quit until they destroy us by cleaning out our Permanent Fund earnings!
highway employees than the state of Montana, which has six times the mileage? We all know that Alaska’s weather and vast distances make the cost of doing business generally more expensive, but does the cost of our public employee compensation have to be that much more expensive? Bringing our highways and transportation payroll in line with the national average? $192 million in savings. Oil prices have largely recovered from their lows of just a few years ago. New oil is beginning to flow into the pipeline. Alaska’s government employees may likely escape the type of painful job losses their private sector colleagues have endured. But we need to know that public dollars are being well spent. We all have had our interactions with slothlike DMV employees. But we also have plenty of dedicated, quick-moving public servants more like Officer Judy Hopps of “Zootopia.” We need more speedy rabbits in government service. Bob Griffin is a retired USAF fighter pilot, former Chair of the Anchorage Municipal Budget Advisory Commission and a current board member of the Alaska Policy Forum.
with voters. Instead of forgiving him for his backstabbing and praying for my abuser, I confronted him only to be cursed on the House Floor during a break in the proceedings. I frequently ask God to give me the strength and patience to deal with such situations. As with most and being the imperfect Christian that I am, I tend to lack the necessary fortitude to successfully confront hostility. It takes an extra effort when my instincts tell me to be defensive and fight back. Whenever I face a difficult person, instead of challenging them, I try to neutralize the situation with kindness. Simple courtesy and friendliness go a long way. And I try to see things from their perspective, that they may be having a bad day or are experiencing a family problem or life crisis. It’s easier said than done, but it keeps my conscience clean and helps win their respect. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
PETS & ANIMALS
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Contributed by Kelleigh Orthmann
Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates
Contributed by Susan Fujimoto Needed: Hiker, biker, runner, walker, jogger, active person! Kinley is a very sweet 5-year-old, spayed, brown brindle Lab mix who needs someone to play with. She has a lot of energy and would like to be included in your activities. It is recommended that Kinley has a dog-to-dog introduction to any other dogs at home, but regardless of how well her introduction is, she will still need a proper slow introduction at her new home. Kinley is located at the Mat-Su Animal Care Shelter (9470 E. Chanlyut Circle, Palmer, AK). (907) 746-5500 OPEN TUE – SAT 11AM – 6PM
These Black Lab Mixes are a pleasure to be around. They are a bit over 3 months old and have plenty of spunk! Riley is a little more outgoing than his brother and is a bit feistier when playing with other pups. He is very mellow when someone’s petting him. Riley is very smart and is doing very well with potty training and simple commands (sit and stay). Johnny Jones (the pup with the white on his chest), is a very sweet boy. As soon as you sit on the floor with him, he climbs in your lap and wants loving. He is a bit more energetic than his brother when you approach him. He’s struggling a little with house training, but he’ll get there! TO MEET THESE SWEET BOYS, CONTACT ANGIE AT 841-3173 OR EMAIL ALASKA ANIMAL ADVOCATES AT AKAARESCUE@HOTMAIL.COM
Van Gogh is a handsome gray and white boy with soulful eyes. He is maybe 10 years old and he’s been through a lot. His eyes have a lot to tell. Van Gogh was obviously someone’s kitty at one time. But he was either abandoned or lost and spent the last few years camping under a porch and scavenging for food. A lady was able to trap him after feeding him for a year. His ears were frostbitten off, he had a snare wound around his neck and an abscess on his leg. He had survived all that and now he needs a loving family that he can give his trust and devotion to. He is extremely shy around new people, but he has warmed up in his foster home and enjoys loving attention very much. It will take time to win his trust, but it will be worth every moment. He does well with other cats, not sure about dogs. He is looking for a laid-back home with food and love. He is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped as all our cats are. IN WASILLA. CALL 907-980-8898.
Contributed by Susan Fujimoto Mystery is a wonderful year and half old, spayed silver tabby and tortoise shell cat. Where she came from is a mystery, hence the name. She showed up pregnant and had her litter of kittens in a family’s home. Mom and babies were taken great care of and all the kittens have been adopted to new homes. Mystery loves to be held over your shoulder and enjoys kids and dogs but can feel bullied by more dominant cats. She is looking for her forever home, too. Her identification number is A100405. (907) 746-5500 OPEN TUE – SAT 11AM – 6PM
PETS & ANIMALS Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates To begin, you deserve gratitude for stopping to help a lost dog. As we all know, all too often lost dogs get hit by cars or end up very far from their home turf. The longer the dog is lost, the more dangerous the situation is for the poor fellow. Hopefully, the dog will be friendly and therefore easy to get a hold of. If the dog is wearing ID tags, you can immediately contact the owner and make a plan to reunite the family with their pet. If he does not have tags, you will need to get the dog in your car and take him to Animal Control or a vet’s
office where he can be scanned for a microchip. If you have your own dogs or kids in the car, assess the situation for safety – you may need to get your family home and then return to help the lost dog. If the dog is not friendly, call Animal Control to get help. If they are not available or are unwilling to help, call the police. You are more likely to get the help of Animal Control or the police if you inform them that the dog being loose is posing a traffic hazard. If you are able to care for the dog for a few days, you can help try to find the owners on your own. First, notify Animal Control and fill out a Found
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Dog report. Provide all pertinent information, such as when and where you found the dog. Include a photo as well. There are several lost pet hotlines that are very helpful with reuniting lost dogs and families. Again, be specific in the details regarding finding the lost dog. Following are some of the hotlines available in Alaska. Lost and Found Pets Alaska Alaska Pet Lost and Found Mat-Su Lost and Found Pets Alaska Lost and Found Pets Another option is placing an ad in the newspaper. These ads are typically free to people who are looking for their lost
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dogs or for those who have found a lost dog. If you are really devoted, you could create some flyers, with a photo of the dog and put these up on various bulletin boards throughout the community. Putting these flyers up in local veterinarian’s offices is a good strategy as well. Again, thank you for helping a frightened, lost doggie and reuniting them with their loving family.