The People's Paper April 2023

Power of Nutraceuticals

On May 13th we invite you to join the 200 hundred bicyclists that will gather in Talkeetna, Alaska for the Clean Air Challenge, in which participants unite to ride for one cause—lung health. The lifesaving ride will benefit the American Lung Association and their mission to improve lung health and help prevent lung disease.

The American Lung Association’s work directly touches more than 34 million Americans each year including roughly 100,000 Alaskans living with lung disease. Saving lives through a pioneering model of research, education and advocacy, the Lung Associa-

tion focuses on defeating lung cancer, creating a tobacco-free future, championing clean air for all and improving the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families.

The Clean Air Challenge is the largest annual fundraiser for the American Lung Association, Alaska. Each year we challenge riders of every age and skill level to join us as we ride our bikes from the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge up the Highway toward the majestic Denali Mountains and back. Each rider commits to raising at least $350 in fundraising, but many go far beyond that point to help continue funding for the organization’s vital lifesaving work. The money that you raise as a rider goes into our amazing programs aimed at support-

ing and advocating for Alaskan People. This includes sharing information about lung cancer screening, supporting patients with Asthma Basics education, and tobacco cessation programs. After you use your lungs to power you up the Denali Highway and back to the lodge the American Lung Association will have more information on what we can do as a community to support those living with and supporting loved ones living with lung disease.

Learn more about the Clean Air Challenge on May 13 and register at cleanairchallengeak.org. or contact the Alaska Office at HeatherL.Johnson@lung.org or Jessica.Frey@lung. org. When you cant breathe, nothing else matters.

New Art Program for Veterans MORE ON PAGE 13 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE

The Ugly Ducking Light Show MORE ON PAGE 3 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE

New Sluicebox Coming to State Fair MORE ON PAGE 4 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE

Film Rant Coming to Williwaw Social MORE ON PAGE 18 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE

Contributed by Jessica Frey, American Lung Association

Contributed by Jessica Frey, American Lung Association

HEALTH & WELLNESS

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Contributed by Alaska Health Fair

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to reduce the stigma associated with alcohol addiction and encourage people to seek help if they need it. Alcohol addiction is a chronic disease that affects millions of Americans and can have serious consequences for their health, relationships, and well-being. There are resources available to help you find treatment and recovery support:

- Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention: This is a state agency that provides public health approaches to prevent and reduce substance use disorders and support community-based activities across Alaska. You can email them at osmap@ alaska.gov or visit their website at https://health.alaska.gov/osmap/Pages/ default.aspx.

- You can also contact your healthcare provider or call a national helpline, 800-662-4357 (HELP), for more information on how to start your treatment and recovery journey.

At Alaska Health Fair, Inc., we offer a library of health education materials and exhibits, including on alcohol addiction and substance abuse, that we make available to local organizations free of charge. Call us at 907-278-0234 to learn more.

Alcohol addiction is not a moral failing or a personal weakness. It is a treatable disease that can be overcome with professional help and support. Don’t let stigma or shame stop you or your loved ones from getting help. Everyone deserves to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Alaska Health Fair has a bunch of upcoming Health Fairs and affordable Blood Tests! Walk-ins are welcome at all events. To view a complete schedule and make an appoint visit www.alaskahealthfair.org.

Free Health Ed Classes Available: Ask Questions About Heath. Join AHF Health Educator & RN to learn about important health topics, ask questions and get answers about health. All you need is a phone and 30 minutes of your time to participate.

Visit www.alaskahealthfair.org and see the announcement above schedule to RSVP.

Make a Difference, Volunteer Today! Are you looking to make a difference in your community? Join AHF family of volunteers, have fun and help Alaskans stay healthy! Both medical and non-medical duties are available. Volunteering at AHF meets continuing competency requirements for professional license renewal. Visit www. alaskahealthfair.org, click on Volunteer in site menu.

Alaska Health Fair, Inc. is a nonprofit organization serving Alaskans since 1980. With questions please call (907) 278-0234 Anchorage/Statewide, (907) 374-6853 Fairbanks, or (907) 723-5100 Juneau.

Home Based Family Treatment

Contributed by Reach 907

Home based family treatment is for the youth with a mental health, substance use disorder/diagnosis, at risk of developing such diagnosis, someone who is at imminent risk of out of home placement or who has been discharged from a residential or psychiatric hospital/juvenile detention facility. We offer:

- Trauma-Informed Treatment

- Assessments

- Behavioral Health

- Trust-Based Relational Intervention

- Therapy for Individuals and Families

- “Wrap-Around” Services

- Community Recovery Support

- Skill Building

- In-School Support

Intensive Case Management

- Lvl 1 Home-Based Family Treatment

- Early Intervention Prevention

Our hope is to step in and offer support before treatment measures are needed. Our goal is to work on skill sets and offer techniques to help families navigate through crises and difficult moments in youths’ lives.

What’s the Difference Between High Risk and Imminent Risk?

High Risk means a person with a score of four or more on the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire.

Imminent Risk means a person who has been in contact with the department responsible for child protection regarding issues that could lead to out-of-home placement.

At Reach 907, Resilience Behavioral Health, we believe all people are valuable and deserve to be loved

and cared for. We want to help change the trajectory of lives while strengthening families. We believe that strong families create a stronger community. We offer services to restore, empower, strengthen, and at-risk youth and their families through skill building, counseling services, and case management.

“An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure” - Benjamin Franklin For more information, contact us at 907-745-6200 or visit our website at www.reach907ak.org

HEALTH & WELLNESS

A Totally Different Physical Therapy Treatment

manual therapy.

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the words Physical Therapy? Do you envision a painful treatment or having to endure difficult exercises that help you break up scar tissue? Traditional physical therapy does have a reputation of no pain no gain. There is a radically different approach that is so effective and so gentle that Tony Robbins in his latest book, Life Force, dedicated an entire chapter to this technique.

This completely different technique in the world of manual therapy is called Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) and is so gentle yet so effective that those who are frail or infants can receive this kind of

Counterstrain was originally discovered by Dr. Larry Jones in the 1960s and it has dramatically grown and improved over the many decades. Brian Tuckey, PT has taken Counterstrain to a whole new level and is the developer and creator of Fascial Counterstrain (FCS). He was recently featured in the newly released inspirational movie, Helen Believe, since he was her primary Physical Therapist and was an integral part of her healing journey.

What is a Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) session like? Most often, the patient is fully dressed because the soft tissue releases can be felt through clothing by the therapist. Sometimes the therapist needs to work directly on the skin, and the treatments are always very gentle. Treatment begins at the head, or the cranium feeling for soft tissue restrictions that connect to the rest of the body. I always explain to my patients that sometimes treatment happens in areas where there is no pain. Why?

If you think of a tree that has leaves that look sickly, do you treat the leaves or the roots? Fascial Counterstrain

is about getting to the root cause of chronic or acute pain and inflammation. You can learn more by going to counterstrain.com or listening to the podcast below.

In the fascinating podcast, Thriving Within, I am interviewing my instructor and the developer and creator of Fascial Counterstrain (FCS), Brian Tuckey, PT.

If you have further questions about physical therapy, The Bearfoot Wellness Studio, or FCS feel free to give me a call at 907-622-2327(BEAR).

New Behavioral Health Clinic Now Open in Wasilla

Contributed by Jessica Cochran

Alaska Behavioral Health is pleased to announce the opening of a new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) to serve the Mat-Su community. The clinic at 351 West Parks Highway opened to clients the last week of March 2023 and provides comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services to valley residents of all ages, including assessment and therapy, psychiatry, primary care for clients, and peer support.

The clinic is open Monday – Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 907-563-1000. During open hours, the clinic can accept walk-in appointments for those experiencing a mental health crisis. Services may be provided via telehealth based on provider availability.

Expanding services to the Mat-Su has long been a goal of the organization, according to Chief Operations Officer Joshua Arvidson, LCSW. “We’ve been painfully aware of the shortage of behavioral health services in the Mat-Su for a long time. We have clients that drive over three hours (round-trip) from the Mat-Su to get their services in our Anchorage clinics. Bringing our services to people who need it in Alaska’s fastest growing region is something I am very excited about.”

What is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic?

CCBHCs are mental health providers that meet high quality standards in providing mental health services to the communities they serve. Services include crisis services, screening and evaluation, outpatient mental health and co-occurring conditions, primary care screening and monitoring, client-centered treatment planning, targeted case management, psychiatric rehabilitation services, and peer and family support.

Alaska Behavioral Health became one of Alaska’s first CCBHCs in 2020 with funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Under that grant, Alaska Behavioral Health worked to improve outcomes for both children and adults experiencing mental health issues in Alaska by expanding and improving our existing services, developing new services to meet the critical shortage of treatment options, improving access to treatments, expanding and developing our workforce, and improving primary care integration and psychiatric medical practices.

Federal Funding for new clinics

In September 2022, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded AKBH additional funding to open the new CCBHC in Wasilla. AKBH was also awarded an Improvement and Advancement grant to continue to develop and implement evidence-based

treatments at our current CCBHC clinics in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Alaska Behavioral Health, formerly known as Anchorage and Fairbanks Community Mental Health Services, has been providing mental health services to the Anchorage community for more than 45 years and in Fairbanks since 2013. A not-for-profit 501(c)3, Alaska Behavioral Health is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation and is licensed by the State of Alaska. Services include individual and group therapy and skill development for children and adults, psychoeducation, psychiatric services, case management, family therapy, and vocational training.

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 3

Contributed by Elaine Hedden, MSPT

IRON CASTING BLACKSMITHING RAKU POTTERY ENCAUSTIC WAX LAMPWORK GLASS

Parents Are Vital Partners With Public Schools Battling Opiods

Contributed by Michael Carson

The Mat-Su Opioid Task Force believes parents are vital partners in providing their children with the most current and accurate information regarding opioid misuse, especially with the troubling trends of fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. In fact, fentanyl has contaminated heroin, cocaine and meth. Also, it is in counterfeit pills like Percocet, Xanax, Oxycontin and even Adderall.

In addition, the D.E.A. ( Drug Enforcement Administration) has now alerted the public that 6 out of ten counterfeit pills contain a potentially lethal dose. And, it only takes 2 mg of fentanyl to be a lethal poison. ONE PILL CAN KILL! ( D.E.A. )

In short, the only safe drugs come directly from a physician or licensed pharmacist. In our conversations with youth, I am not suggesting using a catchy slogan, ( DARE ) a one-liner, ( just say, NO ) or using scare tactics. ( Reefer Madness )

Parents have to become well informed with the facts to have those honest and important conversations with their children. One gram of fentanyl, the size of an artificial sweetener packet can kill 500 people.

Next, the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force believes all our public schools can be an insurance policy to provide all middle and high school students with facts and data regarding opioids to make lifesaving choices. I believe we want all our youth to be safe, healthy and thriving.

If you believe we need that insurance policy for drug prevention and education, I suggest you contact your Alaskan Legislators to support HB6: Opioid Awareness in Public Schools. Unfortunately, Alaska Health Curriculum has not been reviewed or revised since 2017 with no standards addressing opioids, much less fentanyl. And, that is true for any teacher resources with no current information and/or explaining the dangers of fentanyl. There needs to be opioid awareness for our youth as soon as possible.

It is opioid roulette that can be a nightmare alley with a dead end for families, loved ones and friends. The stakes are too high. It is not a carnival game and we can not be naive or leave our youth unprepared. I am convinced we have to move upstream with primary drug prevention and education to cut off the flow into the river of addiction.

Alaska had the ‘largest’ jump nationally for drug overdoses and the majority of those overdoses/poisonings were due to fentanyl. And, the Alaska Law Enforcement annual report, stated last year 26.85 ( 59 lbs. ) kilos of fentanyl was seized and that equates to 13 million fatal overdoses. Also, three weeks ago, a drug bust took place at the Juneau Airport with the seizure of 5,000 counterfeit Oxycodone pills at a street value of $150,000.

There is no doubt, fentanyl is widespread across the state, in the form of ‘rainbow fentanyl,’ ( candy like ) counterfeit pills and in every street drug out there. Parents and public schools can partner to ensure youth know how opioids ‘hack and whack the brain.’ Opioid misuse can lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction, with dire consequences.

Consider this description… ‘With the bombardment of opioid misuse, it would be like driving a car with one foot on the accelerator and the other foot on the brake at the same time. You are lurching forward, unsteadily and uncontrollable, burning up your brakes, just spinning your wheels and potentially, ending up in the ditch. And, that ditch could be a fatal overdose or poisoning.’

Finally, parents, youth and public school teachers need a menu and/ or toolbox of resources that includes facts, data and definitions for opioid awareness all across Alaska.

Thank you for considering supporting HB6: Opioid Awareness in Public School.

Your Life With the Power of Yoga

Contributed by Sonia Auld, Yoga Om

anxiety, and depression, allowing you to live with greater peace and ease. Through yoga, you can develop a deeper sense of self-awareness, understanding your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with greater clarity. This self-awareness can help you make positive changes in your life, improving your relationships, career, and overall sense of wellbeing.

Alaska

A Journey to Greater Health, Happiness, and Fulfillment

A regular yoga practice is a transformative journey that can bring about incredible changes in your life. It is a holistic practice that integrates the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of your being, offering a path to greater health, happiness, and fulfillment.

Through yoga, you can cultivate strength, flexibility, and balance in your body, allowing you to move with greater ease and grace. You can improve your cardiovascular health, build strong muscles and bones, and reduce your risk of injury and chronic disease. Yoga can also help you manage chronic pain and recover from injuries, allowing you to live a more active and fulfilling life. Beyond the physical benefits, yoga can also have a profound impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing.

It is a powerful tool for reducing stress,

Yoga can also help you connect with your spiritual nature, whatever that may mean for you. It can offer a path to greater understanding and acceptance of yourself and the world around you, providing a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Through yoga, you can tap into your inner wisdom and cultivate a deeper sense of inner peace and contentment.

So why not make a commitment to yourself and start practicing yoga today?

By showing up on your mat each day, you can create a foundation for lasting change and growth. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, there is always more to discover and explore in the world of yoga. So take the first step on your journey and experience the amazing benefits of a regular yoga practice. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you! For more information on getting to a yoga class visit www.yogaomalaska.com/schedule

COMMUNITY

Sobriety Awareness Month Returns With New Alaska Sober Heroes

education opportunities for the public and legislative staff on Recover Alaska’s advocacy work.

Contributed by Recover Alaska

Alaskans Stevi Rae Angasan of Naknek, Johon

EchoHawk Atkinson of Metlakatla and Rob Seay of Anchorage have been selected as the 2023 Sober Heroes by Recover Alaska, celebrating Alaska’s Sobriety Awareness Month. The heroes were introduced in late March on Alaska Public Media’s Line One: Your Health Connection, a weekly statewide program, where each hero shared their personal stories of sobriety and what it means to them.

The Sober Heroes are not new to speaking out loud when it comes to sobriety and have been featured on podcasts including the Urban Auntie Show and The Anonymous Eskimo Podcast. Each will work closely with Recover Alaska throughout the year, connecting with communities around the state and helping build a culture that is proud to be sober.

Signed into law in 2018, Sobriety Awareness Month celebrates the choice of Alaskans living a sober, healthy lifestyle and encourages others to recognize those making a sober choice for a variety of reasons. The effort began as the Alaska Native Sobriety Movement introduced at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in 1993 before being signed into law and recognized for all Alaskans 25 years later.

Recover Alaska kicked off the month with a pop-up sober bar in Juneau that featured sponsored alcohol-free drinks by Amalga Distillery in partnership with Heritage Coffee Roasting Co. The fundraiser event for the Recover Alaska Fund included pub trivia and

Terpene Profiles

Contributed by Bailey Stuart

Adjunct Professor UAA, Green Jar Owner

In last month’s column I talked about the endocannabinoid system within our bodies. We learned what the endocannabinoid system is and where cannabinoids are found on the cannabis flower (in the viscous resin structures called trichomes). But it’s not just cannabinoids that are found in the trichomes, terpenes are also present. The second most important thing to know after looking at the cannabinoid profile of the flower you look to purchase is its terpene profile.

What are terpenes? Terpenes are the volatile oil compounds responsible for the way most plants smell. They are abundant in the cannabis plant as well as many other plants, fruits and herbs. I want you to imagine cutting open a fresh lemon, I bet you can already smell it in your mind’s eye as you’re reading this. When you cut up a lemon you can almost instantly smell its terpenes. Terpenes are the volatile oils that give those lemons its distinct smell. In the case of a lemon the terpene you can distinctly smell is limonene. Limonene is the major component in the terpene profile of most citrus fruits like oranges and limes.

Limonene is also very predominant in cannabis strains, specifically those that are categorized as sativa strains such as Mike’s Hard Lemon Haze, Super Lemon Haze or Jack Herer. It is found much more frequently in sativa strains and in higher concentrations versus hybrid or indica. Limonene interacts with the endocannabinoid system and produces an effect described as mood elevating and some studies have shown that it reduces stress.

With that said, limonene isn’t the only terpene that’s involved in cannabis. Cannabis flowers can contain some of the most predominant terpenes like Limonene, Caryophyllene, Pinene, Terpinolene and Myrcene.

Did you know that Pinene is the most common occurring terpene in natural plant life on Earth? Next time you’re in a pine forest think about all the Pinene you are smelling. Or did you know that Myrcene is the most abundant terpene in cannabis? Which is where you mostly find Myrcene in nature. To give you an idea of

“The sober curious movement is on the rise, and we’re excited to see the momentum continue through 2023,” said Recover Alaska Executive Director Tiffany Hall. “From the overwhelming attendance at Dry January events that kicked off the year to the emergence of locally made alcohol free beverages, Alaskan’s aren’t shy about their desire to replace alcohol in their lives. With the Sober Hero Awards, we are hoping to not only honor the awardees, but also lift up positive role models in sobriety to make sure people around the state can see how amazing, fun, and successful a sober life can be.”

Alaskans are following a trend that is growing in strength around the world, and at times led by younger adults, including Gen Z. A 2020 study by the University of Michigan shows that over the last 20 years, the number of college students who abstained from drinking went up by 8%. And according to a 2022 study on alcohol consumption trends, Gen Z is the most sober and sober-curious generation yet.

Recover Alaska encourages all Alaskans to participate in Sobriety Awareness Month. Most people have been touched by sobriety in some way, whether they have a friend, loved one or peer choosing to live without drugs and alcohol, or they are living a sober lifestyle themselves.

About Recover Alaska:

Recover Alaska is a statewide action group with a mission to reduce excessive alcohol use and related harms across Alaska, and a vision of Alaskans living free from the consequences of alcohol misuse and empowered to achieve full potential. To learn more about Recover Alaska; access research and data; or read about Alaskans in recovery, visit recoveralaska.org.

the Myrcene smell it is that earthy, musky smell, some even describe it as that skunky smell. Remember when you first were introduced to cannabis and it all had that skunky, earthy smell to it, that’s mostly likely Myrcene. Myrcene is the terpene most commonly associated with indica strains such as Afghan Kush, Granddaddy Purple and Northern Lights. Myrcene is known to contribute to indica’s sedating or also known as “couchlock” effect.

You find these important terpene molecules in the trichomes of cannabis, most commonly on the flower itself. When you consume cannabinoids and terpenes together you experience what we call in our industry the “entourage effect”. Terpenes not only convey the smell of different cannabis flowers but also have some therapeutic abilities, either by themselves or as a co-activating agent, enhancing the beneficial activity of cannabinoids on humans and creating these distinct euphoria’s which is why we call it the entourage effect. Cannabis euphoria is so much more than just THC. There are 400 known terpenes in cannabis which makes all the different strains and its effects understandable and plausible in combination with cannabinoids. And then take into account each person’s unique endocannabinoid system and you begin to understand why each strain affects each individual differently and why it’s important to know cannabinoid and terpene profiles and once you have this information you can choose the right strain for you.

So, next time you are at my shop ask one of my friendly budtenders what the cannabinoid and terpene profile is on the product you’re interested in. Smell the flower for yourself, start with what smells the Welcome to CannaBasics | Terpene Profiles best to you and your body’s chemistry and starts your journey to choosing strains wisely. With this knowledge in your mind, you’ll never pick the wrong strain again.

Epoxy Coatings Can Improve Your Gypcrete Floor

Contributed by Clayton Allison

It is not uncommon for businesses and homeowners to discover that some of their flooring is Gypcrete instead of standard concrete. This can leave them wondering what their flooring options are. The good news is epoxy flooring is not only compatible with gypcrete but can significantly improve your floor.

What is gypcrete? Like concrete, gypcrete or gypsum concrete is a composite mixture of cementitious and filler materials. It’s made with a fixed ratio of sand, cement, and gypsum plaster. In normal concrete, the weight is due to aggregate. But in gypcrete, we have gypsum plaster, a lightweight material used in drywall.

In terms of application, gypcrete is often used as floor underlayment in both concrete and wooden frame constructions. I t’s also used for sound reduction, radiant heating, floor leveling, and improved fire ratings. Gypcrete or gypsum concrete was first used in the radiant heat flooring industry for use with copper heating tubes, as normal concrete was far too corrosive on the copper. Gypsum is especially common in apartments, condos, and high-rises because it helps absorb sound between floors.

Gypcrete vs. Concrete. Although both gypcrete and concrete offer many benefits and have multiple applications, there are considerable differences. The most significant difference between them is their

weight. Gypcrete is lightweight, weighing in around 13 pounds per square foot, while concrete weighs around 18 pounds per square foot. This not only makes it extremely easy to work with, but also makes it a popular subflooring option for most flooring applications. Multi-story buildings use gypcrete to reduce pressure on the framework.

Other common reasons that homeowners prefer gypcrete over concrete include its sound- dampening properties and fire resistance. However, concrete has many qualities that make it preferable to gypcrete.

Although both concrete and gypcrete are made with cement, their compressive strengths are different. Due to the aggregate in concrete, it offers excellent resistance against compressive forces and is stronger and more durable overall. Gypcrete is a bit softer, making it more popular as a floor underlayment, but also more vulnerable to abrasion resistance.

Gypcrete can crumble into sand over time.

Concrete is the preferred choice in terms of energy efficiency and retaining heat. Though porous and not waterproof, concrete also has far superior waterresistive properties than gypcrete which can become soluble in water, potentially causing the floor’s stability to be compromised.

Essentially, gypcrete can’t be used as a finished floor, but it can serve as an underlayment for a variety of other floor cover-

ings. In the past, these gypsum underlayments often left building owners with very few design options available. Fortunately, advancements in epoxy flooring have now made it possible to cover a gypsum-based underlayment with a stronger, beautiful epoxy floor covering.

How do I know if my floor is concrete or gypcrete? Overall, concrete is the best choice for durable and reliable flooring when it can be used. However, gypcrete’s other various benefits mean it can be found in many homes and structures. You can check to see if your flooring is gypcrete by doing a scratch test. If you can dig a nail into the surface easily, it’s gypcrete. Concrete is much tougher.

What difference does epoxy make? The use of epoxy can increase the structural integrity of the gypcrete. Gypcrete can come in a variety of compressive strengths. The lower the compressive strength, the heavier the application of epoxy will need to be. In Alaska, we see a range of 2800 to 3000 PSI compressive strength, which is good for almost any application of an epoxy floor.

Epoxy flooring is strong, durable, and low maintenance. Metallic pigments have a luster that other types of coloring do not have, providing a natural sheen. If a shiny surface is not desired, a matte finish can be applied as a topcoat, allowing the rich color to come through without the glossy effect. Anti-slip additives can also be incorporated for improved safety.

In epoxy, you can create color patterns to display logos or other graphics. Building owners will see added benefits of durability, minimal maintenance, and resistance to moisture, stains, and wear.

Whether you’re taking on a DIY project to refinish a basement or upgrading your commercial space, epoxy flooring adds a level of refinement to your gypsum floor. It’s durable enough to withstand heavy traffic and impacts without compromising the quality of the surface.

If you have a gypcrete surface and are looking for a solution to resurface the floor, get in touch with the experts at Alaska Resin Supply. We provide the highest quality materials and have many unique coatings available for resurfacing every kind of floor and substrate. We are located at 201 E. Swanson Ave, Suite #1, in Wasilla. Give us a call at (907) 671-9900 and check out our website at www.AlaskaResin.com.

2023 Mat-Su Law Enforcement Torch Run & Pledge Drive

Contributed by Danielle

Sherrer

2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run and Pledge Drive for Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community is May 20th at Wonderland Park in Wasilla. Registration opens at 9am and run begins at 10am.

Feel free to walk, run or stroll the park!

A minimum donation of $35 gets you a Torch Run t-shirt & lunch!

Many Law Enforcement members from all over Mat-Su come together & help us put this event on in support of our Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community program. Flames of hope will ignite

throughout Alaska as the 2023 Alaska Law Enforcement Torch Run and Pledge Drive takes place simultaneously in 14 communities across the state. The run starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 20 when a cadre of law enforcement members lead the 5K family fun run in the following communities: Anchorage, Central Peninsula, Craig, Delta Junction, Homer, Juneau, Kodiak, Nome, Seward, Sitka, Valdez, Ketchikan, Mat-Su Valley, and Tanana Valley. It is expected to be the largest simultaneous multi-community running event held in Alaska this year.

Money raised within their communities

benefit their Special Olympics Alaska community programs! If you’re running our 5K at Wonderland Park in Wasilla be sure to mark “Mat-Su” as your community when you register! Your pledge will benefit our 200+ athletes here in our Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community program.

These funds help us continue our sports training & competitions, rent venues, provide sports equipment, and social events for all our participants!

Register or Donate Today! specialolympicsalaska.org/ events/law-enforcement-torch-run

Mid-Valley Recycling: And The Winners Are...

Contributed by Sammy Taylor

Mid Valley Recycling is pleased to announce the winners of grant offerings for local remanufacture of local recyclables. Last summer Mid Valley Recycling (MVR), with the financial help of Mat-Su Health Foundation, launched a contest in two categories, one for adults and one for youth 21 and under The Adult First Place winner Patrick Simpson has developed a plan for a mobile recycled plastics-to-plastic-lumber (known as RPL) facility. In a long development process and formation of his business Alaska Plastics Recovery, Simpson has already produced a prototype currently located near the Palmer Alaska State fairgrounds. Check it out on YouTube.

As Tam Boeve, director of VCRS states, one of the great aspects of this project is that it uses some types of plastic that VCRS does not collect and sell. Simpson’s facility recycles molded plastic discarded by the oil industr y, plastics picked up during local beach cleanups and items like plastic toys and bottle caps none of which are currently recycled at VCRS. A great advantage of this prototype is that Simpson can move his prototype to any location in

Southcentral Alaska.

When Marissa Senna entered her Adult Second Place “glass bottle to sand” grant application, all the judges were excited. Valley recyclers are always asking when and where they can recycle their glass. Currently, VCRS has no buyer for glass so it is not collected. Recyclers have to drive to Eagle River or Anchorage or consider making glass bottle walls or greenhouses to use their glass locally.

Senna proposes an alternative. She researched and found a small glass bottle crusher which, using water, can turn bottles into sand without the usual dust production. She also found a businessMeier Lake Resort - willing to house the machine and use the end product. This crusher has a small carbon footprint so is a very “green” project.

Working with Meier Lake Resort will allow her to implement a functional system for housing and operating the glass recycling program in a safe and sustainable manner, as well as create a drop-off location that is easily accessible to residents.

Since this second-place prize comes from MVR donations, Mid Valley Recycling was not able to provide all the funds needed to get this project started. Senna

is already looking for further funding sources to complete her work.

A group of seventh grade students from Teeland Middle School calling themselves the Banana Botz won the youth award of three thousand dollars for their Extreme Ecobrick housing proposal. The six students – Emmerson Michaud, Wesley Quimby, Cyrus Rader, Connor Rush, Ayden Shaw and Mason Szybnski – with the assistance of their parent-mentor Mary Collins Quimby, researched the feasibility of using recycled forty foot refrigerator containers (think getting meat and dairy into Alaskan supermarkets) to make affordable housing.

They researched cold weather insulation, power sourcing and even developed a floor plan. They took tours and contacted experts about green building practices. They developed ideas about powering each housing module separately through solar occupant-produced power using a stationary bike. These “Ecobrick” homes can be used individually in remote locations or stacked and arranged for urban spaces as shown in their 3-D model.

The Banana Botz will use their prize money to travel to a national Lego Robotics competition they have been invited to

in Boston, MA this summer.

Looking to the future, the boys are interested in pursuing work in various engineering specialties (robotics, architectural and mechanical engineering) or medicine. In the short term the boys are looking to improve their robotics skills and qualify for the Lego Robotics World Competition during the 2023-2024 school year.

The judges like this concept and hope these young men continue developing these ideas as they grow.

MVR president Patti Fisher says these middle schoolers give her hope for the future.

ABOVE: Mid Valley Recycling president Patti Fisher with Banana Botz.

Annual Miles for Meals on Wheels Fun Run and Online Auction

Contributed by Danielle Pond

The Miles for Meals Fun Run event began in 1980 and continues today to promote WASI’s mission, “to enable seniors to live independently for as long as possible.”

Miles for Meals on Wheels is WASI’s largest fundraising event of the year. A vital community service, this program provides essential meals to homebound seniors in the Mat-Su Borough. In today’s challenging economic climate, it is more important than ever to support this worthy cause. Meals on Wheels is not just about providing a nutritious meal. This personalized service delivers hope, health, and nutrition to seniors. One of the comments we hear most often: “Thanks to my driver and staff, it’s nice to see a friendly person

who shows concern and a smile for me! I am a senior and a shut-in and besides the much-appreciated meals, I enjoy a friendly face. Sometimes I don’t see visitors for days”. WASI loves making a senior’s day!

The ONLINE AUCTION starts on May 6th and ends on May 19th, 2023. The auction is a fun way to participate from the comfort and convenience of your own phone and helps us suppor t the WASI Meals on Wheels program. There is still time to donate items for the auction. Call us today!

WASI’s FUN RUN event will take place on Saturday, June 24th, where you can Run, Walk or Roll at your own pace. Wasilla Senior Center is located at 1301 S. Century Circle in Wasilla. This is a great opportunity to gather your family and friends and join us to support seniors. If you are unable

to make it on the day of the event, you may participate at any time, anywhere, between June 1 and June 24th virtually. Make a video, take a selfie, or stop by the Wasilla Senior Center and we’ll take your photo and place it under our “Finish Line” banner! Registration is easy and is $30.

Help us make a difference in the lives of seniors and be a part of this fun run event. Sponsor your favorite runner or become a business sponsor by donating to this meaningful cause.

For more information, please call or email 907-206-8793 or m4m@alaskaseniors.com.

To REGISTER visit the website at wasillaseniors.com. Like us on Facebook and stay tuned for updates.

COMMUNITY

Another Great Season for Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

Contributed by Andy Dennis

The mission of the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center (HPAC) is to provide avalanche information and advisories to assist and educate the public in avoiding avalanches in the Hatcher Pass area of the Talkeetna Mountains in Alaska. HPAC is the sole forecast center and educator of avalanche safety in the Mat-Su Valley. Without HPAC, thousands of backcountry enthusiasts would lack pertinent avalanche information to assist in their decision making on how to travel in avalanche terrain.

HPAC is a small, grassroots, non-profit, non-agency, community supported avalanche center. HPAC was founded in 2008 by Jed Workman and Allie Barker. During the season of 2012-2013, HPAC joined under the umbrella of the non-profit organization, the Alaska Avalanche Information Center (AAIC). In 2017, HPAC formed an advisory board. In 2019, HPAC separated from AAIC to form its own independent 501C3 nonprofit organization, HPAC INC. HPAC is one of only nine non-government funded avalanche centers in the country. HPAC not only provides specific avalanche forecasting information but

also provides general backcountry travel information and advice. HPAC provides free lifesaving information throughout the winter season. Currently, HPAC is publishing two avalanche forecasts per week (Saturday and Thursday). Forecasters curate a public obser vations platform and update social media several times per week.

These resources are offered to the public for free. HPAC provides 50-60 avalanche forecasts per season, mid-November through mid-April. HPAC also provides 100-150 regular social media posts and weather updates during every significant weather event from October through the end of April. HPAC provides avalanche education at local public high schools, youth organizations, Mat-Su EMS, and MAT+SAR Search and Rescue.

Weather and avalanche updates on Facebook and Instagram are viewed by anywhere between 1000 and 20,000 individuals per post (larger numbers are generally attributed to posts being shared by local pages run by the Mat-Su Borough and local clubs and businesses centered around backcountry recreation and safety). During the current season, the forecast page has seen 36,000 unique visitors and

the weather page has seen 30,000. Educational programming this season reached approximately 1200 individuals.

HPAC works in conjunction with Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, Alaska State Parks, Alaska Department of Transportation, Mat-Su EMS, and MAT+SAR to help manage avalanche incidents in Hatcher Pass.

HPAC employs three professional avalanche forecasters, one apprentice forecaster, an executive director, and several part time educators. There is a strong and active board of directors composed of local community members.

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center is funded through individual donations, corporate donations, and grants. Though the state of Alaska has a mandate to provide avalanche information, this is an unfunded mandate. Visit our Sponsors Page at www. hpavalanche.org/about/sponsors to see a comprehensive list of supporters.

HPAC supports an active scholarship program. This season eight partial scholarships were provided to Mat-Su Valley residents for formal avalanche education.

To learn more about this program visit hpavalanche.org/about/scholarship-fund/

Visit our website at www.hpavalanche. org to get the forecast and learn more about the Center.

Email us at info@hpavalanche.org if you are interested in donating, sponsoring a forecast, volunteering, joining our board, or helping with fundraiser events. To donate to HPAC visit https://hpavalanche. org/donate/.

Free Backpacking and Kayaking Trips for Alaska Teens

Contributed By Joey Sirois

Alaska Geographic

Are you between the ages of 13 and 18?

Do you want to expand your knowledge of Alaska’s forests, mountains, and oceans while immersed in them? Then check out Alaska Geographic and our amazing outdoor expedition programs!

At no cost, selected youth can explore the public lands of Alaska with other likeminded teens. Our trips bring students to the Prince William Sound via sea kayaking, the Chugach National Forest via backpacking, Denali National Park and Preserve via

interpretive education, and many other places within Alaska. These trips will introduce students to outdoor professionals with a wealth of knowledge in their work areas.

Students will participate in stewardship projects to further connect with the land they are exploring and learning from. These trips are great for teens who have never gone camping, backpacking, or sea kayaking before and are also great for teens who want to improve their skills.

If you think you or someone you know would be a good fit for these types of adventures, then visit our website and our

programs at akgeo.org.

Want a better idea of what one of our trips is like? Read on to learn about our Johnson Pass Backpacking Trip.

“Adventure into the spectacular peaks, whitewater creeks, and lush forested and alpine terrain of the Kenai Mountains. Backpack 23 miles along a section of the Iditarod National Historic Trail and the old Johnson Military Road, a wagon road that connected the boom towns along the Turnagain Arm. Learn fundamental backpacking skills while contributing to the longevity of the Chugach National Forest by helping with basic trail maintenance

Did You Get Left In the Cold This Winter?

Contributed by Frankie Allen

Thousands of Alaskans are without power each winter due to heavy snow and high winter winds. If your home heat is electric or has electric controls, it’s imperative to have back up power. Without it, you’ve got a life safety concern.

However, as we approach summer, thoughts of warm sunshine pull us away from finding a solution to our winter concerns. In a couple of short weeks, we’ll be warm and won’t be worried about losing power and having our pipes freeze, damaging our homes. Thousands of Alaskans will still lose power this summer, too, though, and that brings on a whole

new bevy of concerns: keeping our food fresh. Everyone has a refrigerator that runs on electricity. Depending on how hot your home is, food can start to spoil within as few as four hours.

In order to meet the needs of the Valley, we needed a dealer who was capable of honoring the Generac warranty with a factory certified technician. We contacted Generac and researched whether they would be a partner we could trust, and what it would take to become factory trained and certified to install and maintain your Generac generators.

What we discovered is that Generac has a lot of information, is easy to get a hold of, and is wonderful to work with. They’re

fantastic partners. We have one technician who’s factory certified to maintain and warranty your Generac generator and we’ve scheduled more to go through the certification process later this spring. We’re also able to provide you with the Generac generator that meets your needs. There’s a lot of questions when it comes to sizing your generator. How big of a generator do I need? What will I be able to power? Where will it need to be? And will it add equity to my home?

We can help you with that. With a quick home consultation, we can review the sizing requirements for your generator, discuss how much it’ll cost, and decide on the best option for you. We’re also partner-

Got Gumbo? 6th Annual Cook Off

Contributed by Sherry Carrington

The 6th Annual Gumbo Cook Off is coming and April 22, 2023 is the date to remember! If you have a recipe for gumbo that can win the prize, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to show your culinary expertise.

Some of our winners over the years have been Chrissie Babin with Team Rovxisiana in 2022. Aaron Burchett, with the team “The New Guys’ ‘ with their ‘Y’all’s Gumbo’ Recipe won in 2019. In 2018, Tanjala Eischens won 1st place, after winning 2nd place in 2017, with her “Granny’s Special” gumbo recipe.

Each year we have had 5 to 8 Chefs compete with their favorite Gumbo or

Bread Pudding Recipes. Teams can enter in either category or both. So this is the time to get out those gumbo pots and/or your bakeware and join us for the greatest feast of the year!

The Displaced Cajun Award goes to the Team that has the best decorations for their serving table.

Kids can join the fun by coloring amazing pictures of alligators and crawdads for the prize in the coloring contest. There are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, place prizes for both the Best Gumbo and Best Bread Pudding.

Who gets to decide which pot of Gumbo is the The 1st in a Row - Grade A - Number 1 Gumbo in Palmer Alaska? I’m so glad you asked. All those that join us

for the fundraiser. They get the opportunity to try all the gumbos, all the bread puddings and then they get to cast their votes for their favorite. So everyone wins! The community get to sample some of the best southern recipes that have made it this far north and the Chefs get the chance to show off their Louisiana style cuisine that would rival Justin Wilson.

To get the registration and rules please contact Connect Palmer 907-746-9675 or sherry@connectpalmer.org

The community has also been so generous with silent auction items. There are Quilts, Metal Prints, gift certificates and so much more. Come and join the fun. April 22, 2023 at 12pm to 2pm. At Church on the Rock Palmer. 619 Scott Rd. Adults

such as dispersing fire rings, brushing, trash pickup, and collecting GPS coordinates for rangers. You can explore this area deeply as you move to a new camp every night and meet with Chugach National Forest rangers, staff, and trail crews.” If this trip sounds like something up your alley, check out our website to view other trips and see how our application process works. Once again, these trips are free for every student who is accepted. Opportunities like this are an excellent way to create a summer memory that will last a lifetime, do not miss your chance.

ing with select mechanical contractors to provide you with the complete package you need without the worry or distractions.

And, yes. Adding a whole home standby generator does add equity to your home.

Don’t wait until you’re left in the cold or your moose or salmon starts to spoil in your refrigerator. Give us a call and ask us to sit down with you to review what size generator you need. If you need your current generator to be maintained, give us a call, let us know what type of generator you need, and we’ll get you on the schedule for a complete generator maintenance. We, at All Phase Electric, create the right solution for your needs. Find out more on our website, https://allphaseelectricak. com/generators/, or contact Frankie at (907) 376-1200.

$20.00, Children 5-12 $5.00 and children under 5 FREE. Registration to compete is $25.00.

So, who does this fundraiser support?

The proceeds of this event go to Connect Palmer. Connect Palmer has several programs, God’s Work Design (a back to work/ work ready program), the Locker (personal care and cleaning items), and Sarah’s House (residential program for women). Check us out at ConnectPalmer.org

Alaska Raceway Park: First Round of Advance My Track Challenge

Contributed by Alaska Raceway Park

Alaska Raceway Park is participating in the first round of the Advance Auto Parts Advance My Track Challenge from now to May 5th. The first round of voting allows you to vote three times a day at advancemytrack.com, and the track has a chance to win $50,000 for track improvements.

Finalists for round two will be announced on May 8th and the second

round of voting takes place from May 9th to 15th. Alaska Raceway has won third and second place in the past two years.

Michelle Lackey Maynor, the owner, is excited about the opportunity to win and improve the facility.

Alaska Raceway Park is the only NASCAR and NHRA-sanctioned track in Alaska and is the capital of racing in Alaska. For more information and tickets, please visit raceak.com.

Recognition for Safety Achievement

Contributed by Debra McGhan

Racing across the open coast of Alaska at eighty-miles an hour, the beam from headlamps bouncing across the ice belied the danger ahead. The frozen tundra under their sleds suddenly turned black and smooth like freshly frozen ice. Thin ice.

Decisions. Take the short route straight across or go around the time-consuming safer route?

“On this trip Evan Booth was with us and he’d almost drowned before in a similar situation,” said Chris Olds, four-time Iron Dog Champion. “You could just tell, he’d stared death in the eye and knew he didn’t want to go there again anytime soon.

‘I’m pretty confident that your machines have the power to do it, you have the strength to do it, and if everything goes perfect, you’ll probably make it across,’ Booth told us. ‘But if anything goes wrong… a belt, plug, anything… and you have to stop, you’ll go through the ice and no one will be able to help you.

‘And just so you understand, if you choose to go straight across you’re on your own.’

“We made the decision to go around,” said Olds.

Tyler Aklestad, current champion, said he wasn’t there at that time to hear the advice from Booth. Instead he and his partner made the decision to go straight across. “Yeah, that turned out to be a ter-

rible choice, “said Aklestad. “Lucky for me, my partner did make it and had the equipment needed to rescue me.

“I made it to the coast but there was this steep shelf and I couldn’t get up on it. I stopped and sure enough, my machine and I went through the ice. I was soaking wet and every time I tried to claw my way out, I’d slide back in. If it hadn’t been for my partner who had a rope and was able to pull me out, I would have drowned.”

Both Olds and Aklestad have numerous stories to share about amazing experiences they’ve had riding and racing across the mountains, glaciers, tundra and coastline of Alaska. They also have some hair-raising tales that didn’t end so well. Both have achieved great success. Both have suffered serious injuries and have had their own brushes with death and lessons learned. While competitors on the trail, they are now working together to give back to the community that has supported them.

In 2021 they teamed up with Mike Buck, Dan Hall, Peter Kaiser and Scott Davis to form the Alaska Safe Riders. Their mission is to promote the safe riding of snow machines, all-terrain vehicles and recreational off road vehicles through educational programs in order to reduce the number of unintentional injuries and deaths related to off-highway travel.

Over the past year the group gave 38 free school and community presentations, traveled more than 2,000 miles by snow-

mobile to share their training and raised more than $50,000 to support their efforts.

On April 5, 2023, Alaska Safe Riders received recognition for their achievement in spreading snowmobile, ATV and off-highway vehicle safety as recipients of the 41st annual Alaska Governor’s Special Achievement Award.

“This award means a lot to our team,” said Mike Buck, Executive Director. “We could not have done this without the support of our sponsors, members and individual donors. And we still have so much more to do.”

There is nothing quite like the feeling of riding a snowmobile as you sail across a field of powder on a blue sky afternoon. Or the heartfelt joy of seeing the look in someone’s eyes when they are being fit for their very first snowmobile helmet even though they have grown up riding snow machines.

Did you know that Alaska currently ranks number one in the nation for traumatic brain injury related deaths yet there are no state-wide laws requiring the use of helmets? According to the Brain Injury Association of Alaska, there are currently an estimated 10,000 Alaskans living with disability due to brain injury. And many of those injuries could have been prevented simply by wearing a helmet.

Alaska Safe Riders partnered with Iron Dog this year and helped to distribute 450 helmets to Alaskans in rural villages

who often do not have the resources or means to purchase a helmet. “That’s 450 people who will ride safer as a result of this program,” said Buck. “We are proud to host these training programs and to be able to give away these amazing helmets to those in need who attend.”

Alaska Safe Riders is also partnering with the Alaska Avalanche Information Center to host free public training programs with support from the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Division Alaska State Troopers. You can learn more, or sign up your school or community for a free training by visiting www.AlaskaSafeRiders.org

Grand Opening at WASI Mid-Valley Adult Day Service in Houston

Contributed by Melissa Sonnek

Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. (WASI) announces the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting ceremony, Friday, May 5th at 2:00pm, to celebrate the New WASI MidValley Adult Day Services, located at 11975 W Mid-Valley Way, Houston, AK 99623. All are welcome to join us for this exciting and wonderful event.

WASI’s mission is to enable seniors to live as independently as possible for as long as possible. As the number of seniors continues to increase dramatically in the Mat- Su Valley, families, friends, and

professionals are faced with exploring how to seek out more specialized care and support services for a vulnerable adult. The WASI Adult Day Services Program provides a variety of health, social, and supportive services in a protective setting to adults who are physically frail or face the challenges of Alzheimer’s, Dementia, a developmental disability, or brain trauma. Healthy snacks are offered, and exercise programs are available.

Participants can receive assistance with adult daily living activities, participate in arts & crafts projects, music, holiday parties, engaging activities, fun games,

and so much more! Transportation to and from the program is available. WASI Mid-Valley Adult Day Services currently accepts Medicaid Choice Waiver, Tri-West Healthcare Alliance for veterans and selfpay.

In addition, WASI provides daily services at the Mid Valley Senior Center, Houston location. Lunch is available to Seniors 60+ from 11:30am – 12:30pm for a suggested donation of $6.00. Guests under 60 years of age are $10.00. There are daily exercise classes like Bingosize, Strong Seniors, Tai Chi classes, Puzzle Club and Trivia. The Center has a library, notary public,

Free WIFI and computer lab, low vision magnification equipment, and in the summertime there are garden planters available. The Mid-Valley Senior Center is open Monday – Friday, 8am to 4pm. Stop by and see all the great things available to the senior community at the Mid Valley Senior Center.

For more information about the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony or to inquire about our ADS program, please call 907-4165670, email wasiads@alaskaseniors.com, or check the Facebook page at www. facebook.com/midvalleyseniorcenter

Spring Updates from the MatSu Food Bank

Contributed by Lauralynn Robinson

It’s official! After 36 years, the MatSu Food Bank Pantry, Offices and Warehouse are now in the same location.

Our new location is: 5099 East Blue Lupine Drive, Wasilla, AK. 99654, (between Hyer Road & Seward Meridian, off the Parks Highway). By having the pantry, offices and warehouse in one location, we are better situated to serve our community in their ongoing need to combat food

insecurity. We are extremely “Thankful” to our staff, all of the volunteers, and community for your help and support to make this dream happen!

Our hours of operation are still the same: 10:00am to 1:00pm, Monday through Friday. Please come by and visit the new location, and keep in mind we are in need of food, personal hygiene items, and monetary donations, so that we can continue to serve our community! Our Board of Directors is planning an

Open House/Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for later this summer. Be sure to follow us on https://www.facebook.com/ MatSuFoodBank, for updates on day and time. We are truly grateful for all the resources available to help our wonderful community. Remember: No One should go hungry! Please take a minute to visit our web page www.matsufoodbank.org. You can also follow us on Facebook, facebook.com/MatSuFoodBank.

Protecting the Vulnerable:

Alaska’s Battle Against Human Trafficking

Contributed by MYHouse Mat-Su

Alaska has the highest rates of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and addiction in the US. These problems are fueling the sex trafficking industry in Alaska, and it’s time for action to be taken. House Bill 68 & Senate Bill 66 are being proposed as measures to help combat human trafficking in Alaska. The bills aim to put victims of sex trafficking first, targeting the demand for sex while increasing penalties for traffickers who force people into sex work.

House Bill 68 & Senate Bill 66 puts victims of sex trafficking first, targeting the demand for sex while increasing penalties for traffickers who force people into sex work here in Alaska.

The proposed legislation would provide legal protection for trafficking victims and increase penalties for all forms of trafficking, placing the most serious classifications on those crimes that use force to traffic an underage person into sex work. The bills would also establish the new crime of “Patron of a Victim of Sex Trafficking,” making it a class B sex felony if a person solicits sexual acts with reckless disregard for the possibility that the person they are soliciting is a victim of sex trafficking.

In addition, the proposed legislation would establish a process for people to have their prostitution or low-level drug possession convictions vacated if the person is able to show they were a victim of sex trafficking at the time they committed the offenses. This would allow individuals who are out of the life of prostitution to remove the barrier of a legal history of prostitution to pursue legitimate, productive careers.

92% of trafficking victims were abused during their childhood, 2 and Alaska leads every major child abuse metric.3 According to the 2019 FBI Uniform Crime Report, Alaska’s rate of sexual assault is nearly four times the national average4 and our child sexual assaults are nearly six times the national average.5 When it comes to these issues our state is number one, but for all the wrong reasons.

Legalized Prostitution Increases Human Trafficking... SAY NO TO THE LEGALIZATION OF PROSTITUTION

It’s been proven that countries that legalize prostitution have higher rates of human trafficking. According to a World Development study conducted in 2012 entitled Does Legalized Prostitution Increase Human Trafficking? “According to economic theory, there are two opposing

effects of unknown magnitude. The scale effect of legalized prostitution leads to an expansion of the prostitution market, increasing human trafficking, while the substitution effect reduces demand for trafficked women as legal prostitutes are favored over trafficked ones. Our empirical analysis for a cross-section of up to 150 countries shows that the scale effect dominates the substitution effect. On average, countries where prostitution is legal experience larger reported human trafficking inflows.”

At no point has a kindergartener ever said “I want to be sex worker” when asked what they want to be when they grow up. Many participants in prostitution were sexually abused as children, normalizing the fact that their bodies were nothing more than an item meant to be used for sex. Prostitution is not a victimless crime.

That’s why HB 68 and SB 66 are so important; holding the buyers of sex accountable when they recklessly buy sex from a child or a trafficked individual will help curb the demand side of the sex trafficking equation. Simultaneously, these bills empower survivors so that they can use their voice to testify against the individuals who have done them harm.

You can find contact information by

See the many ways you can contribute, by volunteering and making donations, help us help our community.

Please contact us at (907) 357-3769 to schedule time to volunteer, or for more information concerning donations…Or for other questions call United Way’s 211. Thank You for all your continued support, we deeply appreciate our community!

going to akleg.gov. This legislation is currently being heard by the House and Senate judiciary committees, so members of these committees are especially important to contact. When emailing or calling please include the following information:

Alaska leads the Nation in Sexual Assault, (four times the National average)

Alaska leads the Nation in Child Sexual Assault (six times the National average) 92% of trafficking survivors report being abused as children

Data shows that high rates Sexual Assault and Child Abuse go hand-in-hand with high rates of Human Trafficking HB 68 and SB 66 help combat Human Trafficking in Alaska, and makes our state a safer and healthier place to live.

This legislation is designed to help the most vulnerable in our state. Please DO NOT choose to play politics when it comes to this issue.

To make an impact and help combat human trafficking in Alaska, people should consider emailing or calling their state legislators. The proposed legislation is currently being heard by the House judiciary committee, chaired by Representative Sarah Vance, but as of now has not been heard by the Senate Judiciary, chaired by Senator Matt Claman.

People can also get involved by joining the Alaska Stop Human Trafficking Alliance, which meets on the third Tuesday of every month via Zoom and collaborates with stakeholders across Alaska to find better ways to combat trafficking and better serve survivors.

Hall Alaska Transportation: Story of Carey Hall

Contributed by Black in Alaska

‘I did everything I had to do to get here’

Take a close look at Carey Hall’s rig, did you notice what that quote says? “Running on faith, prospering by grace.” It was already on the truck when Carey bought it, but he has since adopted it as a company motto. His other favorite saying is the Golden Rule: “Treat people the way you want to be treated.” Carey’s respect for others, the road and the land have made him an admired leader in the trucking industry and the Anchorage community.

Ever since he was kid, Carey knew that he wanted to be a truck driver. By the time he was a teenager, he had visited Alaska and knew he wanted to make it his home.

“All the pretty scenery caught my attention,” Carey said. “Once I made up my mind that I wanted to come back here, I did everything I had to do to get here.”

He made his way to Alaska in 1984, and after moving to Georgia for a few years, came back for good in 2005. Originally from Louisiana, Carey said opportunities

existed in Alaska unlike anywhere else, like working in the trucking industry — and driving the famed Haul Road. The Dalton Highway route is especially important to the state economy as it is the only way to move massive supplies and infrastructure between Alaska’s oil-rich North Slope and supply hubs in Fairbanks and Anchorage. Carey even appeared on the History channel reality television series “Ice Road Truckers,” which dramatizes the dangers.

Following in his dad’s footsteps, Carey built a career as a trucker specializing in oversized hauls — the big stuff. As a veteran in the industry, he has become an advocate for black people interested in long-haul transportation. Carey notices an increase in black drivers, up from the handful that used to haul loads in Alaska when he first started.

“I can only remember about four or five of us black drivers,” Carey said. “We are out in a lot more places now. Even in Prudhoe Bay, there’s a lot of us up there working in it.”

Carey now owns a trucking company:

Limbocker Legends

Contributed by Victoria Limbocker

Limbocker Legends are an amazing group of 6th, 7th & 8th grade students!

Because Midnight Sun is a charter school that has multi age classes I have the privilege of teaching these students for 3 consecutive years, in turn providing a unique opportunity to build strong teacher student relationships and better understand my students strengths, needs, learning styles, and character. They will tell you that sometimes the best educational opportunities happen outside the classroom. Let me tell you about some of their adventures.

Last year my class had the opportunity to spend 4 days at Peterson Bay Field Station across Kachemak Bay. I witnessed first hand these young travelers experience

firsts such as: seeing the ocean for the first time, riding the boat out across the bay while viewing wildlife, and identifying multiple organisms while tidepooling. Before the trip students researched various oceanic organisms. While exploring the tidepools students would yell out things like “ Mrs. Limbocker come quick, I found a sea sponge!” Watching the excitement on their faces was extremely rewarding.

This year 3 days at Space Camp are quickly approaching. The class is headed to The Challenger Learning Center in Kenai. I am excited to see these inquisitive kiddos once again use background information they have learned throughout the year and put it into action in the simulators and workshops through the handson experiences that will be provided on this trip. Their hard work and dedication

Spring Into Cleaning

Contributed by Julie Cascio, University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service, MatSu District

Dust, bacteria and mold are just a few things that can accumulate indoors over the winter. When done correctly, cleaning removes unwanted dirt and bacteria from the indoors. Challenging weather conditions keep us indoors all too long. Our instincts are to make everything – rugs, furniture, cupboards, curtains and more –look fresh and bright with our first whiff of spring. Clear it Out. Start by getting rid of things that are needlessly filling up your home.

Recycle It. It is time to take those piles and bags of things to recycle.

Sell it. Garage sales or consignment shops are to move things out of the house that are in excellent condition but no longer needed.

Donate it. Items in good condition but no longer fit your lifestyle can be donated to charity.

Inventory Your Supplies. Before starting to clean, make sure you have all necessary supplies on hand. The basics should include an all-purpose spray cleaner, an all-purpose powder or liquid cleaner, an abrasive cleanser and non-abrasive cleaner, chlorine bleach, glass cleaner, dusting product, and any specific products you need for special surfaces. Check your vacuum cleaner bags, too.

Read the directions to use them safely and effectively. The label contains important information about how much product to get the best results. Following the instructions on the label will help prevent you from wasting the product. Make sure they are not within reach of children when stored or while you’re cleaning. Also gather cleaning tools, like paper towels or microfiber cloths.

Make a Plan – Decide on Cleaning Style. Some find it more effective to clean one room at a time. Others prefer to group tasks – such as cleaning windows in several rooms at once.

Prioritize. Generally, it’s best to do the

Hall Alaska Transportation, with trucks that sport that faith-driven motto. As he builds his company, he hopes to continue inspiring more black drivers.

What I’m doing is trying to build a future for my family and even other black

throughout the year has ensured that there is no out of pocket expense to parents.

The task of earning enough money through fundraising will be a bit more challenging this next year. The last two years trips have had a focus on Science, to support my students to be well rounded learners, next year’s trip will hold a focus in History. Our class trip for 2024 is scheduled, and the destination is Washington DC. Our curriculum has a focus on American History and it will be an amazing learning experience for all of them. I anticipate the day when as a class we stand in awe of places like The Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, or witness a changing of the guard at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier.

As their teacher I organize and provide opportunities for them to fundraise and earn their way on these trips, but the stewardship, teamwork, and eagerness they display makes me more than happy. I am

rooms that need the most work or get the most traffic first. Consider the big items. Check curtains, comforters, blankets, bed skirts, slipcovers and shower curtains to determine if you need to clean them.

Recruit Help. Enlist family members or pair up with a friend. Clean efficiently to save time, money, water and energy. Start early on your Spring Cleaning day. Assign tasks to age and ability. Have lunch pre planned so helpers don’t lose momentum. Make it fun!!

Go! Cleaninginstitute.org shares these strategies for efficient cleaning:

Work from the top down. For example, dust before you vacuum so that you don’t have to go back and reclean where you’ve already been.

Start in one corner and work your way around. When cleaning floors, start in the farthest corner and work your way back to the entrance.

Prioritize the kitchen and bathroom. These are the rooms that will take the most time. Pretreat surfaces with product that should sit for a bit to work, like the toilet cleaner. Work top to bottom and remember to clean the appliances. For delicate flooring like the wood floors prone to scratching, get out the broom and sweep,

drivers that want to come along,” Carey said. “That makes me happy to be able to do that.”

Courtesy of Black in Alaska A Project of Rasmuson Foundation

very proud of this fine group of hardworking students. You may be asking yourself, how can I help support these fine young students in their educational endeavors?

On Friday May 5th Limbocker Legend students will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser in the Midnight Sun Gym from 5-8:30 and everyone is invited. Please take advantage of the opportunity to come out and not only support the kiddos, but come and meet them for yourself. They will be working (alongside their parents) all the booths at the event earning their way on this traveling educational opportunity.

See you at Midnight Sun, Friday May 5th at 5:00!!! If you have questions please feel free to contact me at victoria.limbocker@ matsuk12.us If attending Cinco de Mayo doesn’t work for you, keep an eye out. You will see Limbocker Legend students out and about in the community working our class booth at multiple events this summer.

before mopping.

Focus on frequently touched surfaces that include doorknobs, light switches, tables, countertops, desks, handrails, and faucets. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning electronics.

Practice makes perfect. Now that you have succeeded in spring cleaning, set up a schedule to give your home this rundown. In addition to getting faster with repetition, the more frequently you clean will mean less need for deep cleaning to play “catch up.”

Subway Franchisee Celebrates 35 Years in Alaska

Contributed by Dee Buchanon

Steve Adams, a Subway franchise, and his company Subway of Alaska, Inc. are celebrating 35 years in business after opening the first Subway in Alaska on April 15, 1988, in an Anchorage strip mall at the corner of Benson and the Seward Highway. Today, the remodeled restaurant operates in its new location at the corner of the New Seward Highway and Benson Boulevard.

Steve Adams wanted to bring the Subway brand to Alaska in 1987, and in June of that year, he invited his mother, Bobbie Scribner, to be his partner. After hours of discussion and several trips to a Subway in Little Rock, Arkansas, to try the menu, a partnership was formed. Thirty-five years later, their success continues.

Steve Adams is also a Subway Business Developer, working with local franchisees to open over 50 restaurants in Alaska. These franchisees support the communities in which they operate through a

Fundraising Card program to help fund local non-profit organizations. For more information on the program, visit: subwayak.com/fundraising-card

Steve Adams, President of Subway of Alaska, Inc., and Chris Wilson, Vice President of Subway of Alaska, Inc., are grateful for their staff and guests’ years of loyalty. The company is a strong contributor to the community, and is committed to remaining an anchor donor business and supporting non-profit organizations throughout Alaska.

Valley Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

Contributed by Sue Wallin

SPRING is HERE! Valley Garden Club

Members are busy starting plants for themselves and our community. We are happy to announce our 33rd annual plant sale the last Saturday in May at the Mat Su Boys and Girls Club 3700 East Bogard Rd. Please reserve May 27 on your garden

calendar. Come early for the best possible selection. Come late and try to strike a deal! Public is welcome 9am to 3pm. We grow annual flowers and veggies as starters for your gardens and ours. We offer perennials at our Spring Sale and again at our Fall Perennial Sale in mid August.

In the past, we have had a wall of tomato plants, many culinary and a few

medicinal herbs, houseplants, all kinds of hanging baskets and annual flowers. One year many begonias showed up! Veggie starts to sell quickly and one simply never knows what will show up. Remember to go around the back of the building to see many outdoor trees, berry bushes, and native Alaskan plants. There are usually some bare root strawberry

About Subway of Alaska, Inc.

Established in 1988, Subway of Alaska, Inc. is an independently owned-and-operated Subway franchisee company based in Anchorage, Alaska. The company currently operates over 20 restaurants, serving freshly made-to-order sandwiches, wraps, salads and bowls to its guests every day.

Media Contact: Dee Buchanon, Subway Development, Inc., 907-441-9191 dbuchanon@subwayak.com

plants for sale. Our club started a section out back for gently used garden tools and yard art. Consider joining our club if you have items of interest for sale. Contact us at valleygardenclub.com or follow us on Facebook, our email matsuvgc@gmail.com or write to us at PO Box 871244 Wasilla, AK 99687 STAY TUNED FOR NEXT MONTH’S ANNOUNCEMENT! Hope to see you at this sale!

COMMUNITY

Where is the Palmer Library?

Contributed

by Steve Carrington, Palmer Mayor

Back in the years of the territory of Alaska the Palmer Library moved around a bit. In the 1930s some colonists collected books and set them up in a colony tent. Later they moved those to the basement of Rev. Bingle’s (the United Protestant Church) basement.

In the 1940s the books were moved to the Barber Shop in the Mat Maid Coop and the Palmer Library Association incorporated with the Territory of Alaska. Then in the 1950s a red chicken coop was moved to donated land and opened for library business. Although it didn’t have actual bathrooms, it did have heat (most of the time).

In the 1960s the Palmer Library moved into the addition of City Hall (where the City Council chamber is currently). Bathrooms were included. I can remember searching through this library for books on fishing and camping. This was a great resource for a teen that didn’t live in the city limits at that time.

In the 1970s the library was supported by both the Mat-Su Borough and the City of Palmer. In 1979 a full-time librarian was hired. The Palmer Library was run by all volunteers from 1935 to 1979. Palmer Library still has many volunteers helping to this day.

In 1984 a new library was built and the current Palmer Public Library was dedicated in 1985. The Library grew slowly over the decades. Then disaster struck and the

Library suffered a roof collapse in 2023. The City of Palmer has secured a building to serve as an interim Library, located at 137 E Arctic Avenue. We are sharing the space with two retail businesses, so parking is limited, but we do have our own entrance. The first floor will be 1/3

Children’s section and 2/3 everything else to include Young Adult, Adult, DVD, CDs. There will be one public computer and two card catalog computers available, the main computer lab will be on the second floor. This storefront library should be opening in May this year.

Float on Cloud Wine: Women, Wine, and Wellness Event

Contributed by Michelle Hattingh Sol Vitality

Ladies, get ready to wine, dine, and feel oh-so -fine! Bee Free Alaska, one of the Valley’s newest non-profits, has been chosen to host this year’s Women, Wine, and Wellness event on May 12th from 6-9:30pm at the Palmer Train Depot. You’re invited to join us for a night dedicated to celebrating women and empowering them with k nowledge and connection - all while supporting a great cause: helping kids get access to life-changing chiropractic care.

And let’s be real, who doesn’t love feeling good and doing good at the same time?

With over 30 vendors offering everything from clothing to wellness products and ser vices, delicious food and wine tasting (yes, please!), and inspiring speakers to get you pumped up about life and adventures, this is the ultimate girls’ night out!

The Women, Wine, and Wellness slogan says it all: Creating Inspiration, Cultivating Friendships, Connecting Community. Plus, you can’t beat the VIP lounge, where it will be an experience to remember, sponsored by Ema Rose Hair. The love and

nourishment will be next-level, make sure to secure a VIP Ticket – Limited availability.

Doors open at 6 PM, so make sure you’re fashionably early to snag one of our exclusive gift bags – (psst… only the first 50 guests through the door get one!) And don’t forget to wear your fanciest outfit (or Alaskan fancy aka extra tufts), because this is your chance to shine like the fabulous lady you are.

“We can’t wait to host the Women Wine and Wellness event this year,” said Billie Jo Christensen, founder of Bee Free Alaska. “It’s a night of laughs, learning, and

supporting a cause that’s near and dear to our hearts. Bee Free Alaska is all about benefiting kids in our community, and we’re excited to be a part of it!”

Remember, this event sells out faster than a hot knife through butter, so don’t wait to register online and secure your spot. Bring your besties, your dancing boots, and your sense of humor, and get ready for a night to remember!

Get your TICKETS HERE: www.bit.ly/3KFSO9Y

The Alaska Vintage Home Market & Food Truck Fest

Contributed by James Embree

Spring is just around the corner and so is The Alaska Vintage Home Market at the Alaska State Fairgrounds. This year’s event will be the biggest yet, with over 100 vendors in the barn plus dozens of food trucks outside and live music on the BlueBonnet Stage. And for the first time this year the event will include a display of classic cars in partnership with Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska.

Come and support over 150 local small businesses all gathered in one place for you to enjoy. From handcrafted woodwork to hand made jewelry, to upcycled furniture, to original works of art, most of our vendors design and make the products that they sell, so this is truly the apex of shopping small and shopping local! The event this year is on Mother’s Day weekend, so treat your mom to a nice outing to the Vintage Market and get her a unique gift and a delicious goodie from

a food truck.

For the second year we are also hosting The Barefoot Mile as a fundraiser for Joy International, an organization that seeks to address the problem of human trafficking. We will have a one mile route marked out inside the State Fairgrounds for participants to walk (with or without shoes). Registration for this fundraiser will be at 9:00 on Saturday morning and the walk will begin at 9:30. You can find out more about Joy International at www.joy.

Fishing and Magicomedy in Alaska

Contributed by Curtis Nickerson

the

Magician

In 1973, during the Vietnam War, I was given the option of being stationed in Alaska or Vietnam. My Sergeant boss had a friend at the base where assignments were made, and he gave me the choice between Eielson or JBER. Being someone who enjoyed trout fishing, I had hoped for an assignment in Montana or other stateside bases with great fishing spots, but ended up in the desert near Tucson, Arizona.

When I arrived in Alaska in May of 1973, it was a completely different world. As a non-resident, the only place I could hunt was on the airbase, which extended almost 80 miles eastward to the Charlie River. I spent many weekends that first summer exploring the dirt roads in my used 4-wheel drive scout, and even encountered a porcupine while hunting for black bears near a tree with claw marks.

One of the most famous fly fishermen in the mid-twentieth century was Lee Wulff, who was born in Valdez, Alaska in 1905. He was known for advocating for ethical fishing standards such as “catch and release” and for creating the Wulff flies, one of which was the Royal Coachmen - a popular dry fly used by many fishermen.

Years later, on a vacation in upstate New York, I stayed at a Rockefeller family resort on the upper Beaverkill river. While not

catching anything on the hotel’s private river frontage, I was directed to fish the water just above which belonged to the Joan Wulff fly fishing school. Joan, Lee Wulff’s widow, was a champion fly fisherwoman and they both lived near the river in the 1920s. It was then that I caught a nice rainbow on a wet fly.

My father introduced me to fly fishing for the first time in 1964 on the main Beaverkill river in upstate New York. On that May day, a species of large white mayflies were hatching, attracting the trout to the surface. Luckily, I had a white miller pattern and managed to hook a nice brown trout, but had trouble coordinating hauling in the line with one hand while pulling the rod back and grabbing the net with the other. Despite the line getting tangled in a tree, it was still a memorable fishing experience.

I inherited shares in Dick’s Sporting Goods from my mother’s acquaintance, Dick Stack. His son, Edward Stack, expanded the business to over 700 stores. I suggested they acquire Sportsman’s Warehouse in Alaska and was pleased to see Edward Stack funding a girls’ hockey team in Anchorage during a presentation. They won the national championship with the company’s possible travel arrangement.

In the early 1960s, I started buying magic props in Binghamton and performed a magic act during two vacations. People still fondly remember those tricks.

I moved my belongings, including props and a menagerie of animals, from Fairbanks using a U-Haul. I had taken a break from performing to read Dickens books, cut firewood, and care for my pets.

One day, I went to Meta Rose Square, where the mall owner, Harold, was intrigued by the cocktail glasses I was purchasing for a trick. He hired me for my first valley show at the mall on Halloween. The audience was young children, and a theatrical company in Anchorage built two sections of stage for the show.

I was surprised to find a group of young children seated around my stage in Anchorage. A local theatrical company had built two sections of stage over two feet high for me. I went on to perform at birthday parties, schools like Iditarod, restaurants, and banquet halls at Lake Lucille Inn.

One year, I got the opportunity to use the big Dante Water Fountain finale, but the original equipment and costumes had deteriorated. Luckily, Nick Rugerrio, the builder for the Old Blackstone shows, made a new setup for me. I performed a couple of shows in Anchorage with my new wife, the last of which was at the gym of Nikiski high school. However, it was too much effort for the money, so I didn’t pursue an inquiry from Wasilla Middle, which was not far away.

In 1992, I started the state’s first Doordash-like service called Alaska Delivery

Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers

Contributed by Meghan Belin

This Spring begins the Alaska Law Enforcement Museum’s Textile preservation grant project. The staff are focusing on cataloging, assessing, preserving, and sorting the items in the museum which span over 150 years of Alaskan Law enforcement history, as well as items donated from other agencies across the United States and around the Globe.

The massive undertaking will include over 25 pairs of boots, over 50 hats, close to 30 uniform sets, 2 full vintage Safety Bear costumes, dozens of leather belts, holsters, and keepers, and several dozen singular uniform pieces. The grant project is set to run through the end of April

2023 and will end with a full inventory of artifacts with help from Walmart employees who have volunteered to assist with the initial inventory after the cleaning has been completed.

The grant also includes a Museum community Textile preservation workshop which included staff members from several small museums including the Salcha Museum (Salcha,AK), The Veterans Museum (Anchorage, AK), and the Wasilla Museum (Wasilla, AK) to name a few.

New Museum exhibits for this year include an Alaska Railroad Corporation Police display for the ARRCs 100th anniversary, Public safety officer history, and re-designs to the Crime Scene Investigation section of the museum from finger-

printing to Polygraphs.

The workshop took place in early March 2023 and was held at the Alaska Law Enforcement Museum in downtown Anchorage.

We are grateful for being able to complete this project with the grant provided through Museums Alaska, and finish with the help of the local Walmart employees to get us on the right track moving forward.

Be prepared for the Museum’s textile items to turn some heads this Summer.

A part of Alaska Law Enforcement History that is not so much new, but being given a new home is the Department of Public Safety (Which includes Alaska

org Get more information about this local Barefoot Mile at www.alaskavintagemarkets.com

The event is May 12-14. Hours are Friday 2-7; Saturday 10-6; and Sunday 10-4. Cost is $5 at the gate on Friday and Saturday, free on Sunday. Parking and children 12 and under are always free. You can also buy a weekend pass for $10 that gets you in all three days and includes early bird shopping on Friday from noon to 2:00.

Service, and due to exclusive commission contracts with dozens of restaurants, I was tied up 7 nights a week for 14 years. Although it wasn’t very busy, I managed to save money by printing and mailing menu books once in a while. My day job was as a Laidlaw school bus driver, and later, I worked outdoors at the airport in Anchorage, which was so easy that I commuted for 20 years.

After retiring this summer, I received a call for an adult birthday party in Anchorage this September, and I was glad to answer. I performed some of my old tricks from 1972, which were appreciated by magicians who weren’t necessarily focused on impressing their peers with originality or difficult manipulations. The audience seemed to enjoy the show.

Interested in MAGICOMEDY for your birthday or event? Give me a call today at 907-775-1877 or email me at curtisnickerson@icloid.com

State Troopers, Alaska wildlife Troopers, Public Safety Officers, and Court Services Officers [CSOs]) End of Watch wall. This will be part of the main museum room and the addition of CSO Curtis Worland (EOW 12/13/2022) during Officer memorial week in May.

We hope this new location is able to provide a more designated space for visitors and members to be able to view this wall which was previously in the FOAST (Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers) Board Room which is located behind the front desk in the museum.

For more information on upcoming exhibits and events follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FOASTLawEnforcementMuseum

For Donations please visit Foast.org/ donate

Liberty, Liberally

Music As Culture

When it comes to creativity and familiarity in local music, it shouldn’t be an either/or scenario. It should be that the people in our community, who practice the craft of music, should retain the power to introduce new songs, and over time, make those songs familiar. It is this power that is lost.

Musicians are still practicing, and performing, but the power they once had, to create a song and make it familiar to their neighbors - that’s all but lost. Replaced with corporate culture, now we sing along to more and more music made by people we will never knowwho will never know us.

I’m not exactly sure how we can reclaim our place, as musicians, in our communities, here in Alaska. But one thing I’m sure of - and I’ve always been sure of this... Alaska is a perfect place to try. Because of our local pride, and geographic separation, we are in a better position than other contiguous states in the Union to reclaim our culture creator status.

is inescapable. Yet, for many musicians, escaping Alaska is all they think about.

Seeing how Alaskans ignore our musicians, I understand. Musicians want to be appreciated for their culture creation. But our community only hears what the corporate record companies tell us is ‘music’. Our community tells us to escape, go elsewhere for validation, let the corporate music industry shape your sound, so that there is no trace of Alaska in it. Then, and only then, do Alaskans at large give credence to our creativity.

I’ve taken a few years off from music, but that’s already changing. I’m playing more, and enjoying it more than ever. It’s coming back to me, why I loved music way back when. This essay is just my own effort to express how I’m feeling, and what I’m thinking. Trying to keep those bad thoughts out of my mind, that my musical efforts should somehow reflect what is the norm, rather than affect it.

It’s new, really. The idea that we have about how music works, in a financial, professional sense.

Technological developments, like electricity, and broadcast - and now the internet - have made music easily available to people.

The click of a button, or opening an app on your phone, will lend instant access to the world of music, spanning across time and space. It is truly magnificent. But we’ve also lost something, and that something is quite the important something, too.

The musician.

Before all this technology gave us music on demand, we had to have a real musician provide music. There was no way around it, music required musicians. In this way, there was a cultural connection to the people in a community. All music was local music, even if they were playing compositions from other musicians who lived elsewhere. The musicians in a community created the sound of that community’s culture. They created the feeling of that place.

Going back to the beginning of time, music and musicians always went hand in hand, and as a result, musicians were an integral part of any community. They weren’t ‘wannabes’ trying to ‘make it’ out of their communities. They were valued culture creators, within their own community. And it was good.

I’m not saying that I don’t enjoy the music that I have access to; I’m a glutton for music, any way I can get it. I soak in it, I let it pour into my soul. I use this modern tech to create a constant flow of music in my life. Blue tooth speakers are probably the most used technology in my home, next to the phone that connects to them.

However, what we’ve lost in our community is an appreciation for the musicians’ role as culture creators in our community. I’m not lamenting or complaining. This is simply a reminder. Musicians can put their hands on an inanimate object and change the chemicals in your brain, so that you feel... different. That is a valuable skill set. That is how culture sounds.

It never hurts to stop and consider this. Where would music be, and how would musicians function, in a world that wasn’t connected by technology?

We would be in a central location somewhere, surrounded by our community, making music for them to enjoy - that they couldn’t get elsewhere.

If they recognized the songs, it would be because the local musicians had made them familiar - not because some corporation piped it into the community over the radio or mass media. That norm, of corporate influence over local cultures, local communities, is a one-way street. It’s not reciprocal, it’s not communal. How can it be? They aren’t here, how

could they play our soundtrack? How could they possibly?

The question is, how do we re-establish that? How do we get musicians and the communities they live in to work together, organically? It won’t be through a rejection of technology or convenience, that’s for sure. People aren’t giving up music streaming, radio, or electricity. I’m not suggesting that we live like the Amish. But I am wondering, and thinking a lot lately, about how music fits into our cultureminus all the professional and financial ambition that is directed at the corporate music industry. I’m thinking a lot about how, as a musician, I can create music without it becoming the means to an end.

Music is a completion of culture. It is the background, and sometimes the foreground of our lives - even now - because culturally that’s what it’s always been. The reason we like music so much is because music has been an inherent part of our culture for millennia. We all would benefit by keeping in mind that the musicians in our community are valuable to that community, making us feel how the community feels. They are masters of empathy, empaths absorbing the emotions of others, and creating a sound that communicates that consensus.

Music, when culturally considered, makes us act as one, tapping our feet to the same rhythm, even dancing in unison, singing and harmonizing...

This alludes to so much more about humanity than corporate, canned music could ever reveal. That music, from elsewhere, it’s not a barometer of our local reality. It’s a carefully crafted and skillful illusion. As a musician, I admire the craft of it, but as a community member, it doesn’t reflect my world.

Another effect of corporate music’s prominence in our local communities, following our willful ignorance of our own musicians, is that our own musicians lose their power. They start becoming imitators of that corporate culture, rather than innovators of our local culture. I’m not bashing those people, because I am certainly one of them. As a musician, I have been constantly pulled in two directions: creativity, or mimicry.

Any musician who has attempted to ‘make it’ will tell you, we are all challenged to pass through the gauntlet of the bar scene - and in the bar scene, you have to play songs that everyone already knows. Familiar tunes make people comfortable, and when people are comfortable, they eat, and drink.

However, this brings us back to the core idea of this essay. That comfort that is familiarity, the power to make us familiar with certain music, (which is traditionally the role of local musicians in a community), has been usurped by outside interests.

I think perhaps it starts with a change of mindset, a change of perception. We musicians need to stop looking to the outside for validation of our music, and start looking to the community around us. That community has had more influence over our creativity than many of us realize. It’s ubiquitous influence

It should not be about making money. It should be about making sense of things. Making a difference in our community, making people move together, make love, make memories...

MAKE A SCENE.

(WRITTEN 12-18-2018)

Growing Pains & Gains

You may notice a significant change in our publication this month. Both The People's Paper and Make A Scene Magazine have experienced tremendous growth recently, with our circulation increasing from 10,000 to 17,000 copies per issue in just a few months! Additionally, we've expanded our distribution to include Anchorage and Eagle River.

Of course, such rapid growth inevitably leads to growing pains.

As we adapt our organization to accommodate this expansion, we're discovering innovative ways to conserve space in print. Every article in our publication is penned by local contributors like you, who are passionate about their topics. We've replaced the facade of corporate media, which expects you to trust what you read blindly, with a vibrant public

We’ve gotten a surprising number of donations from community members at The People’s Paper and Make A Scene Magazine over the years, and recently it’s increased with the publication of Liberty, Liberally.

We’ve also received many requests for subscription services, requests to mail Liberty, Liberally, and our other publications to people near and far...

So we thought, why not make it easier to

discourse featuring diverse perspectives on the same pages. Next month marks 16 years of our commitment to this unique approach – it's like social media in print!

Our paper's content is not controlled by individuals who live elsewhere, which plays a crucial role in preserving local culture. Fostering our own culture is the essence of true culture, and we're proud to facilitate that freedom. With the recent surge in our distribution numbers, we've also witnessed a substantial increase in submissions from community members! Consequently, this issue is the largest we've ever produced! With this in mind, we kindly ask for your patience, dear reader (and possibly writer), as we navigate these growing pains. Thank you for your continued support – write on!

donate, and get something in return, too? With a minimum $8 per month donation, you’ll receive a copy of each publication - and even special publications and other things that might fit in a Manila envelope! Thanks so much for your words of encouragement and financial support over the years. We take your trust very seriously, as we steward content from you and your neighbors onto the printed page. It’s an American tradition which we are blessed to uphold.

POLITICS & OPINION

U.S. Health Care – And The Alaska Personal Experience

Contributed by Doug Ferguson

Because I have been dealing with the same condition, which is an abnormally high heart rate, I immediately jumped to a lead sentence in a recent article by a doctor in his article about health care in the U.S. that said, “I developed a serious cardiac arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia, seven years ago, -- and my experience through this illustrates the good side as well as the bad side of medicine today.”

This thought rang a bell with me and I thought I should write about it also.

The doctor, John Abramson, teaches primary care and health care policy at the Harvard Medical School and is an author of two critical books on the health industry.

I won’t go into all the detail Abramson does to explain from a study, that compared to eleven other “wealthy” countries, so-called “privileged” Americans, have better health outcomes than other U.S. citizens, but still have worse outcomes than the average citizens of the eleven other countries while paying on average $12,914 per person per year on health care vs. $6,125 per person in those countries. This means “-- we are spending an excess $2.3 trillion a year and

getting poorer results.”

He concludes “Which means that our health care system is broken and needs fixing.” He goes on to explain his view of the how and why of doing this.

I certainly won’t attempt to do anything like that here. However, I can relate some observations of the difference in the medical environment we were used to in Southern Minnesota before we moved to Alaska in 2017 to be closer to family and the environment we have experienced here and why it has contributed to our personal medical frustrations.

First some background of the medical environment in Minnesota. As many people know, the founding of the nonprofit Mayo Clinic by the Mayo family in Rochester, MN in the late 1800’s established the “clinic” model for medical care in the United States which is now utilized around the world for patient care, medical research and medical progress in general.

At the actual patient care level that we are addressing here, the key to this model are several basic concepts and practices. One of the most important is that doctors are salaried “employees” of the clinic and therefore are not as motivated to use their personal patient practice to enhance their incomes. They are free to spend the time

they believe is required with each patient for their best care.

Also key to the “clinic” concept is the idea of team communication where the specialists who see a patient during a clinic visit for a medical problem end up sharing their findings with one another to finally agree on a treatment plan. Also, each has all the detailed records for each patient at their disposal.

Another key feature of the “clinic” concept is that either an assigned “focal” point or, in the case of the clinic’s family practice business, a “family” doctor for each patient is necessary to negotiate these processes and make sure this communication occurs.

Each person’s medical problems are a complex interaction of many factors, some of which are well researched and known and others not so much. Therefore communications between the team attending the patient, the patient themselves and their families, is of primary importance to a successful treatment plan and outcome.

Now we come to our situation in Alaska. While our personal experience has led us to many expert medical personnel and specialists, each has been part of a separate organization and business unit. While some have more variety of expertise

than others, none up here could be considered a “clinic” in the same scope we have been discussing.

Each of these organizations, while providing excellent medical services in the fields in which they operate and certainly wanting to co-operate with other groups, have restrictions and limits on what they share with other groups. Certainly the Federal Privacy rules have played a part here. Since my severe medical problems started early last fall, I must have initiated and signed several dozen information release forms!

In addition, each organization is very clear in letting you know what they consider is their area of expertise, not wanting to make judgements in another area. This makes the role of the family doctor very difficult in complex medical situations.

The unique problems we elderly have with the Medicare system add to all this complexity. I won’t go into our story of trying to find a family doctor near our home who would take Medicare when we first moved here!

There is no doubt in my mind that the “clinic” model of health care provides the best in our modern day. Here’s hoping that this can be part of Alaska in the future!

Changes to the Waterbody Setback Distance for Lakes in Mat-Su

Contributed by Patricia Fisher

Assembly Members Tew and Yundt are at it again. Their gravel ordinance, after being pulled, was resubmitted to the Planning Commission on a fast track course to be voted on by the Assembly in May. The amended version does not include provision for public input.

However, I am writing now about a change in the Waterbody Setback Distance for habitable structures on Lakes in

Eaglexit

Contributed by Sean Murphy

Alaska is alive with the sound of spring, and we are absolutely bursting with anticipation! Can you even fathom that since 2019, we’ve been actively making things happen?

So many milestones have been achieved, and we’re eagerly awaiting what’s next on the horizon. We want to extend a huge shoutout to all the amazing supporters who have generously backed us throughout the years, particularly those who’ve pledged to contribute monthly. You are the backbone of our organization, and we require your assistance now more than ever!

We implore you to seize the moment and continue donating to Eaglexit. This week alone, we’ve received numerous contributions from first-time donors. Your support will cover the legal expenses that we cannot handle alone. We have to compensate our lawyers for the next stage of legal analysis, which includes reviewing the petition, charter, and legal brief, and your donations are crucial at this critical juncture.

So, what have we been up to? Well, as

the Mat-Su. The code currently requires that habitable structures must be 75 feet from the water’s edge. This is a safeguard against septic seepage and chemical runoff from homes.

The 75-foot limit was established in 1973. It was in place until November of 1986 when the Assembly reduced the setback to 45 feet. Six months later, in May of 1987, a ballot initiative returned the setback to 75 feet. Only 6 months had passed and during that time residents got

an all-volunteer group, we are fully committed to seeing this through. Here’s a list of our achievements so far:

Expanding our outreach and educating our fellow citizens about the detachment of Chugiak-Eagle River from the MOA and the incorporation of the Chugach Regional Borough.

We’ve been busy building a social media plan, writing articles, calling in to talk shows, and providing our Eaglexit members with a monthly newsletter, Eaglexit Insights, to keep them updated on the latest developments and ask for donations.

We’ve also been working hard to keep our website up to date and to establish an independent non-profit identity and business identity in our community.

We’re proud to say that as of January 2022, Eaglexit became its own 501c3!

We presented our petition and charter to our legal team for review in June 2022, and in October of the same year, we received a legal presentation on The Chugach Regional Borough: Detachment and Incorporation.

In January 2023, we obtained a business license and a State Gaming permit for fundraising purposes.

We’ve also conducted additional research and data to support our efforts, and we’re preparing to send our completed legal reviewed documents to the

together a ballot initiative to change the distance back to 75 feet. It is not easy to get an initiative on the ballot; it requires a lot of signatures. The vote on the initiative was 2 to 1 in favor of returning to the 75foot setback. The residents of the valley spoke clearly. They did not want to have homes built that closed to the water.

This change proposed by Tew and Yundt to a shorter distance, with no provision for a riparian buffer, is contrary to recommendations of the Alaska Depart-

Alaska Local Boundary Commission staff for review. Once they’ve completed their review and affirmed its compliance with state constitution, statutes, and regulations, we’ll bring the petition to our community for signatures.

Educating the public on Detachment and Incorporation through your generous donations. We’ve commissioned an independent study written by Northern Economics on Assembly District 2’s Revenues and Expenditures, and we’ve attended and paid for the Bear Paw Booth for the last three years and the upcoming year.

We’ve also sent out several mailers over the last two years, designed a new logo and website in 2020, and developed a new and improved website with the adoption of our own 501c3 in 2022.

We conducted a survey in the early stages of Eaglexit in 2019, and asked if studies confirm that Assembly District 2 is able to thrive financially as an independent municipality, would you support separating from Anchorage?

We received 1,411 responses, and the majority of answers were yes. Today, we believe that the majority of yeses will exceed 59.18%.

Without the additional funding needed for hiring an independent survey, we believe that the best survey to demonstrate this will be the actual petition signature drive itself.

Gravel Grovel Garbling Gambling with Gangsters

Contributed by Joe Mondragon

There has been some spirited debate in the Valley recently in regard to property rights, specifically gravel rights. Though it was tabled this week, it will be returning to public debate. Conservatives in the assembly are fighting to amend permits to be required at 10,000 cubic yards of gravel instead of the current 2,000 yards. Replacing the permit would be registration for gravel sites extracting between 2,000 and 10,000 yards. Though championed as a change made for the up and coming contractor, when taken in aggregate with the rest of the boroughs plans, I find it hard to believe our future Borough will be making things any easier for those not already well established (like some of the assembly members’ construction companies).

First, the changes to the ordinance are minimal- replacing a permit process with a registration process- not fewer hoops to jump through, just maybe a little simpler. Though the changes are minimal, the political powers that be and media outlets

have ginned this into a crisis. This is a common tactic elites use to control narratives. Politicians can show their constituents how hard they worked when in reality they just put a magnifying glass on what little they did do. As was the case Tuesday night, after ‘fighting’ hard to try and pass this legislation, it was not even put to a vote. An end to the drama, most of the public left the meeting on this note. Apparently nobody told them to worry about what else the assembly is doing.

Second, a registration process could very well set up the infrastructure for future assemblies to usurp more authority over smaller gravel extractions. Now that there is a simpler, easier, process in place, why not register all lots? Potentially subjecting any property with earth moving equipment on site to future bureaucratic oversight. A true effort to reduce regulation would reduce the text of the ordinance, not add more layers of bureaucracy. One of the reasons for citing this was so they could cement the registration process into the ordinance (at time of ta-

bling it was just a proposed amendment).

Third, while extremely vocal about other issues. There is virtually no resistance to the federal government making further infiltration into borough planning with the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The MPO is a non-governmental agency that will use federal grant money, influencing planners to urbanize more and more of Mat-Su. Regulations on small developments will likely increase, not decrease. Furthermore, the federal grant money will likely go to larger contractors who can afford to take on the large projects, grant money that was stolen from hardworking Alaskans like the small contractor. Effectively, small companies will be subsidizing large ones. Storm water permits are also in planning for the Valley. So contractors will have to deal with federal regulations regarding building on acre lots or bigger, but they might not have to worry about a local gravel permit. The Assembly is putting up no resistance to these federal encroachments on our independent Alaskan spirit.

ment of Environmental Conservation, the Mat-Su Fish and Wildlife Commission and a number of Management Plans, such as the Fish Creek Plan. Our lakes are already suffering from pollution, run off from lawns that are heavily fertilized, septic seepage and road chemicals. Changing the Setback will only increase the damage to the lakes and wildlife.

Please be watchful of this change and speak out to protect our beautiful lakes.

Our goal is to give the citizens of AD2 a choice for independence or to stay with the Municipality of Anchorage.

We all know everyone is busy during these times, but we need you to help us and volunteer to be a member on one of the following committees.

Fundraising Committee

Petition Development and Signature

Gathering Committee Assets and Liabilities Committee

The members on these committees will have a hands-on approach to the next step of our detachment from the Municipality of Anchorage and the incorporation of the Chugach Regional Borough. Please join us. Call me, Sean Murphy, at 907-6325307 and let me know you’re ready to take this incredible step towards the education and the development of our community.

We encourage you to get involved, too! Feel free to call us anytime, and don’t hesitate to come to our weekly Tuesday evening meetings at the Cozy Carpet Warehouse behind the store at 7 pm. Thank you for joining us in this effort!

Sean Murphy came to Alaska in the Army. Met his wife and moved to Eagle River in 1999 with his family. He is a retired Anchorage School District educator and administrator. He is active with his community council and is the new chair of Eaglexit. He can be reached at Sean. Eaglexit@gmail.com or 907-632-5307.

Alaskans are good neighbors and regulate themselves better than DC can; just litter in front of someone if you don’t believe me. What regulations will come after this?

Banning rainwater collection? Banning irrigation of private farmland (something I am all too familiar with)?

The whole world is moving in the direction of more centralization, more technocratic oversight, and less individualism. At best, easing gravel permit restrictions make these ideas easier to digest, at worst they unlock the back door to more regulation on site developers. Voters, don’t be fooled by wolves in sheep’s clothing. When politicians point left, look right; be on guard. We need to make every effort to stop foreign influence on our community. The Borough seems to think they answer to the federal government and will gamble our freedom for their coffers. They answer to us, but the feds shower them with (our) money, and when they use the feds cash they imply this is no extra cost to our community, but it’s costing our independence. It is up to us to fight the cronies, keep our governance local, and defend our property rights. You are power!

Bridging the Gap

Contributed by Robert Shields

How much does it cost to bridge the gap between the environment and the economy?

What is the investment threshold that will allow us to ensure seven generations from now Alaska is still a good place to raise a family, do business, and have fun?

We wonder if $500Mn will make an impact and are excited to find out.

After years of personal investment, community support, and single-minded devotion, we managed to find a developer and a financial partner, with Alaska roots, who could help move us forward. In January 2023 they provided a letter of intent on an investment opportunity for the region we call the North Star Economic Development District (NEDD). We have a request for a letter of support before the city and a resolution, put forth by member Savannah Fletcher and Aaron Lowjeski to the assembly that’s on the agenda for the 27th of April. The scope and scale have grown from one building to potentially 3-5 new 6-8 story buildings

and by attracting other investors could grow even more.

The support we are seeking moves this to the master planning phase. Where various options can be vetted, stakeholder views integrated and, before the end of the year, a plan put in place to present to the public for consideration. Support of the resolution and getting a signed letter from the city does not commit anyone to any debt and all terms will be made transparent during the planning process.

In our highly polarized society, environmentalist believe the economists are killing the planet for profit and the economists believe the environmentalist will destroy our modern world. Caught in the middle are a lot of good people who simply want to raise their families in peace without leaving a world drowning in debt or destroyed by rampant consumption. Fortunately, America is renown for our ability to innovate, which is a function of embracing diversity and practicing inclusion.

Many think that the Alaskan economy is built on mineral extraction and resource

development, but they are only half right. The reality is the resource we are capturing is the innovative mindset that allows us to reach, develop, and bring those resources to market. Here at the Alliance for Reason and Knowledge, ARK, we believe innovation can be cultivated with robust education and support services. Especially to those individuals who don’t fit in the social square or for those who have stepped outside the system and are struggling to find a place in the world.

We know how to work together. We know how to be responsible with managing our resources. We know how to live with Nature and not just on her. We know the practices which served us in the past no longer do so, and we know how to adapt. Now we need to take the resource management industry and shift gears into the high speed of the regenerative economy. We will still use oil and coal, but as fire resistant ultra-strong and light carbon fiber at 10x the value. We will still extract resources but included in that industrial portfolio will be the landfills. A transition process that creates three living wage careers for every one job potentially lost to the past. We know societies work best when we seek common ground and build bridges over walls. We know the

Personal Taxes on Alaskans Would Be Harmful

Contributed by Erick Cordero Giorgana

Alaska’s newly-elected and returning state legislators will face the annual challenge of balancing our state budget during a time when oil prices continue to fluctuate. Revenue forecasts are poor, which likely means that legislators are having bills drafted to impose new taxes on hardworking Alaskans. But the range of harmful consequences for any new personal tax is broad, as outlined in a recently published economic study.

Unfortunately, bad policy such as an income tax, continues to be taken seriously. A proposal to create a new income tax on Alaskans was put forth by the Alaska House Ways and Means Committee in 2021. That’s just the tip of the iceberg: in 2021-22, over 30 bills were introduced by individual Alaska legislators proposing all manner of new taxes and fees.

During the past few years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related federal legislation, Alaska received an infusion of relief funds, which made it easier on legislators who might otherwise have

struggled to balance our state budget. To add to that, the war between Russia and Ukraine that erupted in 2022 caused oil prices to spike significantly, creating an influx of state revenue from oil taxes. And while the legislature didn’t spend it all, the Fiscal Year 2023 budget was very large, and frankly, irresponsible, The capital budget, which usually funds one-time project-related expenses, was the highest it has been in many years.

With the stream of federal money now waning, the Fiscal Year 2024 budget will be a completely different story. Legislators will likely be looking for even more ways they can tax Alaskans rather than have to make hard decisions about streamlining the state budget. And yet it’s clear that new personal taxes will only make things worse.

The new study, titled “The Economic Implications of an Alaska Income Tax or Its Alternatives,” found that if new personal taxes are enacted in Alaska, Alaska’s economy and population will continue to shrink. This is an obvious concern for our already-struggling state.

Frustration Fabrication

Contributed by Dick Clippard

The Mat-Su Borough had a joint meeting of their Assembly and Planning Commission Tuesday, March 14th. The agenda was packed with updates on infrastructure from the borough and state. At times discussion was heated; hard questions were asked. Good, our public officials need to be held accountable, but not by other public officials, by you. You are the real power!

State DOT gave an overview of their planned progress on projects. Particularly the plans for the Parks highway alternative corridor. Refined a few times already, DOT is still looking for feedback from both the public and stakeholders before they decide on whose property to build the road. Though there was some questioning, for the most part this brief was presented uninterrupted. Issues with state roads were laughed off by the body, hopes were shared, though resolutions largely remained unexplored.

The TIP21 update was the highlight of the night, as these projects, approved by bond measure in November 2021, are finally getting some real numbers and

many projects will begin construction this summer. How does the new estimate compare to what voters approved? Over $30 million of it is unfunded. Assemblyman Tew addressed this relentlessly. Why? What changed? How could they get this so wrong?

Different projects had different answers. Some had changed scope, more detailed studies revealed costly challenges to others, but some were just wrong. “Did the assemblymember pick that 3.6 million for that project? ‘’ Asked Tew, in regards to the Hidden Hills project skyrocketing to $9.2 million from 3.6 in estimated cost. “We estimated 2 things right, and what you did was you shrunk the project and absorbed the money. That’s what happened, right?”

Tew commented on the Lakes Boulevard project after finding the 2.6 million dollars in funding would only complete a portion of the road. “My whole life if I said to somebody ‘I’m gonna do it for 100 dollars’ I wouldn’t get the job and then charge them $400... and I’m not saying that it can vary, but from 2 million to 6 million... that should never happen.”

That should never happen. So why did it? Tew expressed thanks and assurance

Supporting David Eastman

Contributed by Richard Stoffel

We need to support Representative David Eastman, probably the only True Conservative we have in our legislature in Juneau.

The RINO Republicans (a manifestation of the Luke Warm Body of Christ) are his biggest enemies because he is exposing them. Which parallel is what the deep state is doing to President Trump.

In the beginning of the legislative session, because he would not join their

ungodly alliance or caucus which is binding, they censored him(attempting to take away his free speech) and fired one of his staff(Pam Good, a very effective True Conservative). That is Unconstitutional behavior.

David has been busy making amendments to their bad legislation. Eg: Amendment 33 which would stop funding of Abortion. But five Republicans joined Planned Parenthood and the abortion lobby to kill the Amendment which could have prohibited taxpayer money from

It’s no secret that Alaska has a higher cost-of-living than residents of the lower 48. What most Alaskans may not realize is that this means we pay a federal income tax premium. The new study found that the federal tax burden for Alaskans is so high that it’s essentially comparable to (and often more than) state income taxes paid by residents of other states.

In fact, Alaskans would have to pay twice as much in state income taxes as in many other states if we reimposed an Alaska individual income tax. This means that new personal income taxes foisted on Alaskans would add a grievous financial burden to those already struggling to get by in these times of high inflation.

Among the consequences of increased taxes is the rise in resident outmigration. As many of our businesses and industries are already experiencing a shortage of employees, this situation will only be magnified by outmigration. Recently, the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development issued a report confirming that net outmigration is indeed occurring, meaning there are more Alaskans

future estimates would not be plagued by such problems based on the bureaucrat’s responses to his grilling. Then, the TIP23 presentation went by with much less scrutiny than the TIP21 update. Therein lies the problem, why is more scrutiny applied to projects already underway - projects that the voter has already decided to fundthan projects in the very initial stages that have time to amend before being presented to the voter. Who gains from this show? Is hindsight scrutiny with minimal foresight truly an assurance that the road package that may be on the ballot this year will be any more accurate?

The assembly should be applying this scrutiny before it gets in voters hands, not years after. When given the opportunity in August, 2021, Tew again took the chance to showboat. Putting up just enough opposition to get noticed, and reducing the pack age just enough to appear discerning. Meanwhile, the public is duped into believing we were voting on 61 million dollars of spending, not the over 100 million bait and switch we ended up with. Tew even motioned to reduce the Lakes Boulevard Project he later scrutinized Borough staff for. “I just want to take a moment to thank Mr Tew for working so hard in his district ... I appreciate the fiscal conservative mentality you bring to this.” said

being used to kill babies. If that is not bad enough they are attempting to limit the number of amendments a legislator can make and trying to restrict his speech. Instead of working hard to counter what David is doing they are using unconstitutional behavior to stop him. Similar to what President Trump is experiencing. Very Communistic, the end justifies the means. David is experiencing many frivolous lawsuits, so far about six, the last one cost $250,000. We are working on doing a fundraiser for him with national and local speakers. One of the national speakers will be David Clemens who is well known for his work across our country helping

economy in our state cannot afford to be a war with the environment and preserving the environment cannot strangle the economy. There has to be a balance, and the regenerative economy is a path we believe will serve us well to create lasting peace and generational prosperity.

In a major city, this level of investment is common. To keep our state small and beautiful we must find a way to utilize similar investments to set and meet common goals. As a small sample here are six growth industries Alaska is primed for and their economic impact by 2030: innovation management $6.2T, health care $6.1T, aerospace $1.2T, micromanufacturing $787B, geotourism $311B, data management $261B. Diversity isn’t a sign of division but a multiplier of choice. It allows us to make better decisions seeing the big picture.

More information is on our website or the Facebook group we set up to engage the public. We encourage you to reach out to your representatives at all levels and tell them you support the NEDD expedition. Please watch out for updates, polls, and events so that together we can create a brighter future for us all.

Reach our for more information: Robert Shields - robert@a-r-k.us

leaving than people moving to our great state—with a clear, negative impact on the economy.

As Alaskans, we’ve always taken pride in being trailblazers – we set an excellent standard by repealing our income tax 40 years ago and other states have since followed suit. Just in the last two years, 21 states have either eliminated their income tax, or reduced their tax rates. In this instance, Alaska needs to stick with the pack.

During a time of economic uncertainty, the introduction of new personal taxes will hurt Alaskans. Our state budget should instead be balanced by focusing on policies that emphasize cost containment, ensuring that spending is kept within reasonable limits. It is imperative for policymakers to drive our state toward efficiency and reduction of burdensome regulations so that our economy can recover and Alaskans can thrive.

Erick Cordero Giorgana is Vice President of Operations at Alaska Policy Forum. He has a BA in Political Science and a Minor in History from Loyola University in New Orleans. Before joining APF, he worked as lead staff to several state legislators and served on the Mat-Su School Board.

Yundt, in response to Tew working with the borough to change their estimate. So why all the finger pointing now, when it’s too late? Where does the responsibility truly lie? Who was duped? Tew can point his fingers at the staff and we can point at him, but what would this solve? Politicians are not honest actors, so the best we can expect from our assembly is feigning responsibility if they perceive it is what the public wants to hear. Those of us who voted against this bond measure may be inclined to turn against our neighbors, after all they were duped, not us. This would do nothing but increase political divides, turning against each other while the Assembly moves without our consent on other issues.

I believe the answer is personal responsibility. I didn’t speak out loud enough before the November 2021 election. That’s why I’m speaking out now, because you are the power. Together if we all take responsibility for our part in this community, instead of delegating responsibility to the politicians, we can enact real change. Their power is an illusion, without our consent they are nothing, but if we stay silent those who crave power and seek to rule over you will take the opportunity. Road budgets are the least of our worries in the world we live in. Free yourself!

communities get voter integrity. He was my inspiration with the help of others and many local residents to get a Borough ordinance ridding us of the vote counting computers in the Mat Su Borough. Locally we have Clayton Trotter who spoke before the Supreme Court to help overturn Roe vs Wade. The fundraiser will be sometime this summer after the legislative session. Let’s show a groundswell of support and show up at Idapark after the 4th of July parade. Many of us giving David $20.00 a month would help him sustain financially as these lawsuits keep coming. We need him very much to keep fighting for us in Juneau.

Education and Sharing Day Celebrating 121st Birthday of the Rebbe

Contributed by Rabbi Mendy Greenberg  Mat-Su Jewish Center - Chabad Lubavitch

Alaskan Governor Mike Dunleavy, Anchorage Mayor David Bronson, Mat-Su Mayor Edna DeVries, Wasilla Mayor’s Office  Glenda Ledford, and Steve Carrington - Palmer Mayor join hundreds of leaders around the USA and the world, including the US President, in proclaiming, Sunday, April 2, as Education and Sharing Day!

This year, April 2nd corresponds to the 11th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan. It is the 121st birthday of the greatest Jewish leader, the ‘Moses’ of our time, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menahem M. Schneerson. Education and Sharing Day emphasizes the importance of paying attention, not only to academic education, but also to moral and ethical education. It’s about raising our children to adulthood with the proper foundation to utilize their academic knowledge and career to help make the world a better place. The Rebbe stresses the importance of every person, especially

children, having their own charity box. Every time they earn pocket money or allowance, parents teach their children to give a small portion of it to charity. Just as charity does a great deal for the person in need, charity does a great deal for the giver - mentally, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Giving charity every day is like daily exercise. The more we move our kindness muscles, the more we reveal the inherent selfless goodness that we have inside us. The earlier we educate our children in this behavior, the more this - living day by day with kindness and goodness - will become a part of who they are inside.

The Rebbe also stresses the place of parents in their children’s education. Not only to worry for their physical health and safety, but also for their spiritual, emotional, and psychological well-being.

Parents are encouraged to have meaningful conversations with their children and to instill in them a compass and values that are strong and enduring, no matter what financial or social status they

What’s Good About Good Friday?

Matthew 26:26-30

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

If anyone has viewed the Passion of Christ where the last hours of Jesus are shot in excruciating detail, most would question why Good Friday is called, ‘Good Friday.’ At least that was my thought between wincing over the lashes and the obvious pain Jesus was experiencing.

For Christians, Good Friday is a crucial day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most pivotal day in the history of the world. On Good Friday, Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10).

will attain in life. Values like kindness, like doing the right thing, like not giving in to negative social pressures, and to make good choices, because there is an Eye that sees, an Ear that hears, the Creator of the universe, who watches over each one of us, and gives us strength, courage, and is hopeful that we will make the right decisions. Not so long ago, here in the Mat-Su public school system, they began to start the day with a quiet moment. This is a perfect opportunity to encourage parents to have these meaningful conversations with their children about the above and other important values, and to give to our children food for thought, so that when they come to school, in addition to having physical food for their lunches or snacks, they also have spiritual, emotional, meaningful food in their minds and hearts.

By Divine Providence, this was implemented in 120th year of the Rebbe, something that he is so passionate about, that us parents not forget our important and crucial role in our children’s education.

D.A. Carson wrote, “It wasn’t nails that held Jesus to that wretched cross; it was his unqualified resolution, out of love for his Father, to do his Father’s will—and it was his love for sinners like me.” It is a good day because he traded places for you and for me. It is a good day because it was the day he conquered sin and death so that we will never be apart from God on this side of heaven or the other.

Many people have a passing familiarity with the events of Easter and yet are haz y when it comes to the details. But it’s essential for us to have a solid grasp on what we believe. Then we will be able to share it with others on this Good Friday or whenever the opportunity arises (1 Pet. 3:14-15; 2 Tim. 4:2-5).

Here are five words we can explain to anyone who is curious about faith in

LifeChangers Outreach Local Program

Contributed by LifeChangers Outreach Alaska

LifeChangers Outreach Alaska is a local, 12 month long residential Christian ministry for adult men and women ages 18 and up who have problems in the area of drug and alcohol addictions, or any type of substance abuse. With multiple locations in 9 different states, we seek to help men and women overcome life controlling addictions and help build in them the positive qualities needed to become productive members of society.

Our Program is carefully structured and designed to deal with the spiritual, physical, and emotional elements of addiction. Instead of focusing on the problem, we focus on finding the solution and achieving lasting and dramatic change in their lives. We believe that a productive, healthy life that is free of addiction is born out of a deep and true relationship with Christ. All the teaching, curriculum, and counseling are all geared toward directing residents to the cross of Jesus. Through Biblical teachings, we train men and women to act and respond to life’s challenges in an honorable manner according to scripture. Through our work program, we help them learn the value of hard work, a good work

ethic, and strict self discipline. We teach them to obey and respect authority.

LIFE CHANGERS WOODSHOP The students, under the supervision of staff members, learn how to plane and route the plaques and shadow boxes to specific designs. They are also able to learn how to properly mix and apply stain and paint. The students have time to develop different designs on computer software, and they learn how to operate a CNC machine. The woodshop is successful because students have the opportunity to be a part of the process from start to finish.

LIFE CHANGERS T-SHIRT SHOP The students, under the supervision of staff members, learn how to operate a screenprinting ma- chine. They are also able to learn how to properly mix the paint. They are also taught how to design and build the screens for the shirt designs, and are taught how to properly clean the equipment and the screens. The t-shirt shop is an awesome opportunity because it teaches the students a vocation that could be added to their resume.

LIFE CHANGERS HEBREWS COFFEE

SHOP The coffee shop is a business that we have developed to give the students job training. The shop offers a full line of

POLITICS & OPINION

What is A Woman?

Contributed by Katherine Baker

The newly appointed Biden Supreme Court Justice, Kentanji Brown Jackson, was asked at her confirmation hearing to define what a woman is… She could not because she would not. She explained this by saying she was not a biologist, as though she was applying for a job at the CDC. (Biologists who know life exists have a difficult time defining what life is).

Blurring the lines & confusing the matter even further, she conflated the biological definition with personal common sense, self-awareness, society’s collective understanding, historical perspective & legal definition by adding (paraphrased) that if there’s a dispute about a definition, people will make arguments & she, Judge Jackson, looks at the law & decides.

After refusing to give a definition of a woman she orchestrates a total head spin by declaring herself the one who decides (perhaps comparing herself to former POTUS Bush, who called himself the decider?)

Was this intended to manipulate establishment Republicans into believing the extreme, radical leftists are more relatable

& like them, than the rest of the GOP? That would, once again, be divisive.

At the very least she did indicate she would decide the definition. And why not? SCOTUS has a history of redefinition. They redefined a long-standing historical definition recognized for thousands of years & affecting billions of people, & hundreds of generations & cultures around the worldthe redefinition of ‘marriage’. Now that’s power!

What about precedent?

What about logic? It seems extreme, radical, heavyhanded & oppressive. And with that kind of power-is it any wonder they want to politicize & weaponize SCOTUS by packing it, as they, themselves have declared?

There’s more-there always is. SCOTUS Justice Jackson with a deep subtlety, seemed to indicate her intention to redefine what a woman is. Her statements regarding the definition of a ‘woman’ were not helpful to women, not to any women, not to any women of any race. What ARE the political elitists up to now? Murkowski, a darling among Democrats, presents herself as supporting other women. Murkowski voted to confirm Judge Jackson. (Women generally speaking represent 52% of the vote). Murkowski is obviously not the moderate she projects

coffee drinks and each of the students are taught how to make each one of them. They are also taught workplace cleanliness. The students have to learn how to operate and properly log all of the sales on a cash register. Most importantly the shop allows the students to learn to interact with the public and teaches them how to interact properly with them.

LIFE CHANGERS STUDY PROGRAM

Each student is required to complete monthly academic assignments and participate in daily group studies which deal with topics such as: growing through failure, loving and accepting myself, obedience to man and God. Each student will spend approximately 25 hours a week learning how to better him/herself and drawing closer to God.

RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM

Life Changers Community Outreach Center offers a 12 month residential program which cur- rently has locations in Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia, Missouri, Alaska, Oregon, Ohio, and our newest women’s center located in New Jersey. While enrolled in the program, residents are under constant staff supervision and accountability. During their stay, they do not hold down outside jobs, as all of their attention is focused on the program.

This year is a special year in the Jewish calendar. In biblical times, once every seven years all the Jewish people gathered together in Jerusalem, to hear the reading of the Five Books of Moses by the king of the time, to be inspired to stay focused on their God-given, purpose and mission here in this world. Even though we don’t gather in the Temple today, we have the ability to connect as one again. When we inspire our children to be focussed and grounded on the values that really make us who we are as a people, as a nation, and as humanity as a whole, we come together in Hakhel.

Judaism teaches that every good deed of every individual has the power to change the world for better, and as every one of us adds and increases in goodness and kindness, the world will become a good and perfect place, a Home for the Divine through the coming of Messiah speedily in our time!

Mat-Su Jewish Center - Chabad Lubavitch

Christ:

1. Redeemed. Jesus’ shed blood liberates all who believe in Him (1 Pet. 1:18-19). This means we are freed from a life of slavery to sin.

2. Forgiven. The wrongs of our past, present, and future are totally washed away (Eph. 1:7-8).

3. Justified. Everyone who trusts in Jesus is declared no longer guilty (Rom. 5:8-9).

4. Reconciled. We are brought into a relationship with God (Col. 1:19-22).

5. Sanctified. The lifelong process of becoming more Christlike began as soon as we trusted in the Savior (Heb. 13:12).

These five terms help tell the story of our faith. Meditate upon the verses listed here and ask God to write them on your heart.

Residents are required to participate in a number of spiritual requirements such as scripture memory, daily church and chapel services, and weekly outreaches. We challenge the residents to embrace the Christian faith. We see that when they do, their lives are transformed, and they find true meaning and purpose.

OUR FOCUS

• Helping residents develop a spiritual life that provides inner-strength and a foundation for lasting recovery.

• Helping residents identify and replace negative and unhealthy core beliefs, resulting in a lasting change.

• Building good character through moderate discipline and positive motivation.

• Life skill development in areas such as personal and family relationships, self-acceptance, relapse prevention, social skills development, anger management, recreation, etc.

• Teaching the students to “give back” to their community and families by way of service and sharing their personal experiences to those who can benefit from the ministr y. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug, alcoholism or any other substance abuse, please reach out and we would love to be there for you!

LIFE CHANGERS OUTREACH CENTER Alaska Women/Men Center: 907-370-3374

herself as being. This is substantiated by her own actions. It’s not what they say-it’s what they do.

So, if “woman’ is as of yet-undefinedwhat rights do women truly have in the real world? ANY? NONE?

If a SCOTUS Judge can’t define what a woman is-can that Judge give a woman a fair trial, make sure the women’s rights are upheld, etc.?

Politicians have a tendency to politicize everything. The communists used to be fond of saying politics is warfare. It’s starting to feel like warfare. It seems their political redefinitions have the ability to null & void our Constitutional rights & freedoms. If they don’t want us to have rights-they simply redefine us.

Women are being pressed under the thumb of political verbal games & redefinitions. But it isn’t just women who are experiencing a multitude of political redefinitions. In their verbal assault games & false narratives-men, even innocent, impressionable children, parents, tax payers, voters, the middle class, small business owners, Christianity, American history, traditions, values, rights & freedoms and the list goes on & on & on are all being politically redefined.

These slick politicians are giving us our rights & then, deceptively, taking them

away. Basically, the more things changethe more they remain the same. It’s a circle with no off-ramps. We are back to where we started-only WORSE.

We no longer have the ability to define ourselves. We now have to wait for the entitled, political elitists to define what a woman is, & they are still working on the definition.

We’ve all heard how they have redefined many different groups-spinning patriotic Americans as domestic terrorists & insurgents, Conservatives as radicals, arsonists as peaceful protesters, and worldwide communism as globalism. (to make communism sound less threatening & more humanitarian???) It’s like some k ind of psychological warfare is being perpetrated against the American people.

History is being rewritten. The USA is being redefined. Anybody notice a National Identity Crisis? Or how the redefining of men, women, & children is causing individuals to go through an identity crisis? It is being induced-forced upon us.

Is it the fate of the US Constitution to be defeated by a sick, corrupt, deceptive verbal game of redefinition & inventively spun contradictions designed to induce states of chaos & confusion?

We are in a National Identity Crisis.

Contributed by Jerry Richardson

POLITICS & OPINION

Lobbyists For & Against Drilling in ANWR both Hide Pertinent Facts

Contributed by Ray Metcalfe

Just before President Biden approved the Willow Project, a couple of environmentalists and an oil industry representative debated the pros and cons of the project on KSKA Public Radio.

The environmentalists complained that the production and combustion of all that oil would release about 239 million metric tons of climate pollution over 30 years. While true, here is the thing: According to a Greenpeace Canada publication, published 17 May, 2021, “The amount of climate-polluting greenhouse gases emitted per barrel of Canada’s Tar Sands oil can be 30% higher than conventional oil.” (310

Grand Jury Protest

Contributed by David Haeg

Because of the awesome media coverage we received there, we are going to concentrate Grand Jury support efforts at the Anchorage Nesbett Courthouse (825 W. 4th Ave.) and Juneau Dimond Courthouse (123 4th St.) – starting with our April 19 protest starting at 8 AM.

Grand Jurors arrive for duty at 8:30 AM on Wednesdays at these courthouses; and need to know WE-THE-PEOPLE have their back when they investigate, recommend, and indict corrupt government officials –

million metric tons for the same amount over time.) Willow is low sulfur light conventional oil.

Bottom line: -- Oil remaining in the Canadian tar sands will never run out.

Canadian tar sand oil will fill any market demand we don’t fill with lighter oil. Weaning ourselves off of our fossil fuel addiction is going to take a while. Until then, we are going to burn oil from somewhere. Far better we burn more Willow light and less Canadian Tar. The environmentalists know that part, but they didn’t bother to mention it. The following link will take you to Greenpeace’s article: www.tinyurl.com/ greenpeacetarsands

Arguing in favor of Willow was Kara

especially since these same government officials are currently trying to stop the Jurors. And we need to inform the whole world that WE-THE-PEOPLE will once again be enforcing our constitutional right to appeal to the Grand Jury DIRECTLY!

We will man booths at the Kenai Peninsula Home Show (April 22-23); Kenai Peninsula Sport, Rec, and Trade Show (May 5-7); and Palmer State Fair (Aug. 18 – Sept. 4). We could use volunteers and monetary donations for these; along with monetary donations and suggestions for banners, signs, radio/print ads, etc., etc.

Some thoughts for banner/sign slogans (along with those we already have):

Moriarty, President & CEO of AOGA (the Alaska Oil & Gas Association). Moriarty was equally pontificating with no clothes. As she always does, over and over, she said how expensive it is to explore and drill, and produce on Alaska’s North Slope. On one hand, it does take deep pockets to play in the North Slope big leagues. But here is the thing: What Moriarty knows, but fails to ever mention, giant pools of oil, like Willow and Prudhoe, pools where drillers stick a pipe in the middle of the pool and let it flow, AKA the sweet spot, are no longer found in the lower 48. Fracking oil from rock is all that’s happening in the lower 48. It easily requires 100 or more fracking wells to match the big prize of

“ALASKA GRAND JURORS ASSOCIATION. org – Protecting Your Right to Inform Grand Juries DIRECTLY of Government Misconduct”

“ALASKA GRAND JURORS ASSOCIATION.org – Protecting Grand Jury Rights to Investigate Government Misconduct Without ANY Government Interference”

Let us know your ideas for short, effective slogans; and your ideas to get the word out or further the cause! Tell your family, friends, and neighbors they should join AGJA, so they know their true power when they get called for Grand Jury duty! (Sign-up link on websites below.)

And please join our April 19 protests at the Anchorage Nesbett Courthouse (825

one good North Slope well.

The cost of producing a barrel of Prudhoe’s oil and delivering it to a West Coast refinery through a paid-for pipeline is approximately one half of what it costs to frack a barrel of Texas crude from a Texas field, and deliver it to a Texas refinery. --

Bottom Line: When found, the giant pools of oil on Alaska’s North Slope are enormously profitable, and because of people like Moriarty, Alaska, and you, have never received a fair share of those profits.

Ray Metcalfe RayinAK@aol.com

W. 4th Ave.) and Juneau Dimond Courthouse (123 4th St.).

See websites below to see TV coverage of our last protest and what the Alaska Supreme Court is trying to stop the Kenai Grand Jury from investigating. (Corrupt judges and someone who appears to have been covering this up for over three decades.)

Alaska Grand Jurors Association

David Haeg alaskastateofcorruption.com and alaskagrandjurorsassociation.org (907) 398-6403

COMMUNITY

The Bright Lights Book Project: Volunteers Welcomed

Contributed by Alys Culhane

I liken the Bright Lights Book Project to a pebble dropped into a still pond. There has been a decided ripple effect in the Mat-Su Valley and surrounding areas since we became a 501(C)(3) a year ago. The BLBP created a need in our community that we previously didn’t know existed.

We are defining ourselves locally and state-wide as a community of readers who put a high value on reading. We also value sharing our reading-related insights with one another. Spend some time on the first floor Koslosky Building hallway, and you’ll see that this is a truism.

I have often envisioned a sign being erected on the road leading into Palmer. In cursive, it will read “Home of the Bright Lights Book Project: Millions and Millions Served.” This would be minus the golden arches.

The response to our mission statement, which is “To put free books into the hands of appreciative readers,” has been overwhelming. Those involved didn’t expect this project to grow so big, so fast. No worries. The BLBP is holding its own; although we currently have limited space in which to store books, we haven’t turned down a single book donation. The books go that fast.

Most recently, the Palmer Public Library roof collapsed. We foresee that during the time in which the library is closed, that there will be a greater need, communitywide, for books. We’re eager to assist in making sure that books remain available for all readers, young and old.

With our seemingly exponential growth has come the sobering realization that we need more volunteers, and for a variety of

purposes. By lending your expertise to this project, you will become a member of a growing cadre of book angels, and as such, be revered by your fellow book lovers.

The BLBP wish list follows. If you see a need that isn’t listed, and you have ideas as to who might fill it, please let me know.

My email address is director@BrightLightsBookproject.org. and our website address is www.brightlightsbookproject.org.

Spring and summer are fast approaching and so we are now looking for volunteers to assist us in event-related activities. These individuals will assist the BLBP Events Coordinator in promoting the BLBP at community events. Those events listed on our 2023 calendar include the Palmer-based Who Let the Girls Out? and the Wasilla-based Magic in the Park. Both events are being sponsored by the People’s Paper. Other events in which the BLBP will be a visible presence include The Alaska’s Center for the Book Reading Rendezvous and the 2023 Alaska Science of Reading Symposium. The BLBP will also be a visible presence at the Mat-Su United Way’s Stuff the Bus event.

Are you socially inclined? The Palmer Senior Center is no longer serving noon time meals, but the BLBP will continue to provide books to those who want them and want to talk about them.

The BLBP provides clean, vetted books to community members. We currently have four volunteers who each week clean hundreds of children’s books. Let us know if you would like to join this crew.

Our Adopt a Bookcase program continues to grow. Being a bookcase distributor involves picking up books at our book distribution center and stocking and straightening up the inventory at our now

35 bookcases. We also stock the Bugge Park Little Library when weather permits. (Right now, there is a five-foot high snow berm blocking the playground entrance.) Come better weather, we’ll resume stocking this Little Library and the newspaper boxes that have been provided to us by the Frontiersman Newspaper staff.

Like to drive, how about signing on to pick up books and drop them off at the VCRS recycling center?

Do you have nonprofit board experience? We can most certainly benefit from your expertise.

Have you ever written grants? If so, step right up.

Are you adept at promoting organizations via social media? How about maintaining our right now non-existent Facebook Page?

We’d also like to find an individual who is willing to put book listings on eBay. This then, would further us in our quest to find the right reader for the book at hand. For instance, we currently have two boxes of high school and college yearbooks. There’s a market out there for these gems – we just have not had the time to follow through in locating it. The money we make from eBay sales helps to fund the project. Got muscle? At times there’s a need to move books from one site to another. Good at packing boxes? Look no further. In the next few weeks, we’ll be getting ready to ship books to the Alaskan village of EEK. How many boxes remain to be seen – they need books for their new library, which they hope will be functional come August.

Lots of volunteer positions here. And if you think of others, we’re open to suggestions.

What is Happening with The Real Estate Market?

Contributed by Marty Van Diest Valley Market Real Estate

The Great Alaska Housing Crunch started in 2020 and has persisted until this present time. Sales data show that the absorption rate is currently at 60%, indicating a high demand for housing. The average price for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a 2 car garage is now $392,000, which has made it difficult for many in the borough to find affordable housing. The average payment for this house is about $2,700 a month, which is a significant expense for families. The rent for this type of home is about the same. In contrast, the cost of buying a home in other parts of the country is as much as 40% higher than the cost of renting, which is a huge indicator that the housing market has topped out in those areas.. In fact prices ARE DROPPING in many big cities in the lower 48. For xample, some parts of Seattle have seen house prices drop as much as 17% in the last year. Prices here, however, are still trending up. They are about 5-7% higher now than they were last year. We will likely not see prices go down until the rate of house

buying starts to drop. An absorption rate of 60% is still a screaming seller’s market. A balanced market would see an absorption rate of about 20%. The absorption rate is the rate that houses are selling. A 60% absorption rate says that we are selling about 60% of the homes that come on the market each month.

I recently ran across something called the “Housing Theory of Everything” suggesting that the lack of affordable housing also drives inequality, climate change, low productivity growth, obesity, and even falling fertility rates. The theory says that the high cost of housing has led to growing inequality, as families who cannot afford homes are forced to pay high rents that limit their ability to save and build wealth. It contributes to climate change because of increased greenhouse gas emissions as families are forced to commute longer distances to work due to the limited availability of housing in urban areas. Additionally, the high cost of housing has led to lower productivity growth, as workers who cannot afford homes are less likely to be able to invest in their education and career development. This theory suggests, of course, that this can only be

Now Is The Time to Sell

Contributed by Ken Hagler

You have been waiting. The annual Break-up in Alaska has begun and spring (or is it “false spring?) has arrived, and you haven’t been sure whether to sell your home or hang on a little longer? You have heard about inflation and the Fed’s rate hikes and mortgage rates have gone up from where you first bought. The good news? Do you know how much equity in your home you have built up? With low inventory and high demand, your home may not only have increased in value but the price may be significantly more than you realize.

There are two types of people. Those who choose to do nothing. Then there are those who do something. That something may be as simple as calling a Realtor and getting a Comparative Market Analysis (this is a tool that Realtors use to estimate the value of a property by comparing to

ones similar) regarding their home. Then do your spring cleaning with purpose! Do it with the idea of putting your home on the market. Follow these simple ideas:

First things first, declutter the home! No one wants to see your embarrassing family photos or your collection of dolls or Star Wars memorabilia (ask me how I know).

Pack ‘em up and hide ‘em away. According to the National Association of Realtors, staging your home can make it easier for buyers to visualize themselves living there. So, put yourself in their shoes and make your home feel like their future home.

Second, now that your home is decluttered, keep it organized. It doesn’t take much to put items in their rightful place and give the illusion of cleanliness. Make sure to dust, vacuum, mop - you know all that good stuff. Pick up those toys, wash those dishes, and make your bed. You don’t want buyers walking in and thinking they stumbled into a disaster zone.

solved by “Policy Makers” who need to develop solutions to increase the supply of affordable housing. This often involves subsidized housing, increased regulation, and increased taxes.

I would like to suggest that one of the causes of the housing crunch is increased regulation. The Mat-Su borough passed an ordinance some years back that limited a lot to only one residence without running water. This was passed on emotionally charged over-reaction to an eyesore development called “Felony Flats” which was a collection of dry cabins crammed together in full view of everyone at the corner of Pittman Road and the Parks highway. There were problems with that “development” that could have been dealt with in other ways but instead, in one fell swoop the borough eliminated a lot of affordable housing for low income people who would prefer a more “Alaskan” lifestyle at a lower cost. Just google dry cabins in Fairbanks to see the list of properties for sale or rent at much lower prices than we have here in south-central Alaska. I would like to see the borough take another look at this ordinance and learn a thing or two from our northern neighbors.

Third, let’s talk about pricing. You don’t want to scare buyers away with a crazy high price tag. Do your research and price it just right. Here is where you consult a Realtor. Be realistic, don’t just ask for the highest number you can think of. Also, make sure your listing is well-written and has good photos. You want everyone to know how awesome your home is!

Fourth, make sure buyers have full access to your home. Having the home available anytime gives them more opportunities to fall in love with your house and make an offer. If you can’t be available, hire a Realtor who can do the job for you!

The demand is high for homes right now in the Matsu Valley and Anchorage Borough and if you follow these tips, you’ll be on your way to a quick sale when the time comes! Who knows, you might also be ready to put some of that stuff on the Marketplace and make some extra cash to go with the money from your home sale!

Ken Hagler (907)891-8830 www.alaskahomesforsale.realestate

Timber Creek will also be accepting the Medicaid Waiver Voucher. This is great news for those that do not have the private funds to pay for the care they need.

Designated staff will help provide direction and resources for those looking for more information about applying for Medicaid and the Medicaid Waiver.

Information will also be provided for those that are Veterans or surviving spouses that may qualify for the Aid & Attendance benefit. This little known benefit can help pay for some of the cost of care for assisted living. Visit www. timbercreeksl.com for more information.

COMMUNITY

Treasure Traders

Contributed by Tasia

Alaska is finally home to its very own second-hand craft supply shop! Secondhand craft supply shops are found across the country, and owner Tasia Allrich knew that crafty Alaskans would welcome their own shop with open arms. Like many artists, Tasia is a collector of a wide variety of craft supplies. There always seems to be a new craft to explore – a hobby that can sometimes become expensive. Treasure Trader was started as a way to keep crafts affordable and in the hands of people that love to craft. Treasure Trader sells all types of craft supplies – including materials for knitting, embroidery, painting, drawing, card making, jewelry making, candle making, weaving, resin, coloring, beading, puzzles, and quilting. It’s also full of

odds and ends, like buckles, snaps, elastic, twine, notebooks, terrariums, ribbons, patches, glass cutters, buttons, fabric, miniatures, glue, colored pencils, and more. They even have a sewing machine that you can use in-store!

“It’s really an incredible way to make craft supplies affordable, while also reducing waste,” says Tasia. Crafters are great collectors, and by sharing the overflow of their collections with other crafters then everyone can enjoy them. Treasure Trader gladly accepts donations of gently used craft items. Any time the shop is open, members of the community can stop by and drop off craft supplies they no longer need. Supplies from any craft are accepted, provided they are clean. You can even drop off projects that are partly done – someone else may choose to finish it, or may dismantle it to use the parts in their own project. “While some folks are

successful selling craft supplies online or at garage sales, what crafters really want is to be able to browse and see a wide selection in person” Tasia says. “It’s the thrill of the hunt.”

The pricing structure at Treasure Trader is also unique. It is based on a “pay what you will” idea. Items are not priced, and when customers check out they suggest the price they’d like to pay. Tasia says, “We ask for about 30% of retail value. This keeps costs low for the customer, but also allows us to keep the lights on.” If you don’t know what to offer when you get to the counter, just ask – Tasia will work with you to get to a fair price. Not pricing individual items saves a lot of time and labor. It also keeps craft supplies accessible. Since some packages may be open, it also allows customers to buy exactly what they need. One customer bought two push pins, with the idea of turning them into miniature lamps. Another customer bought a 2 inch

square of fabric, because that’s all they needed for their project. Instead of having to buy a whole pack of colored pencils, you can just purchase the color that you’re needing. “Setting it up this way really allows for individual creativity and play,” says Tasia.

One of Tasia’s favorite parts of the shop is chatting to customers about their crafts. Regulars often come in and share pictures or stories of what they’ve been working on. “It’s just a comfortable space to share their triumphs, or sometimes they need to come in and problem solve or pick up something extra to make their project sing. It’s my dream come true to be able to offer this shop to them.”

Treasure Trader is located at 472 N Main Street, Unit B, in downtown Wasilla. Open Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 10am-4pm. They accept cash or card. Phone 907-891-3015. Website: TreasureTraderAk.com

Introducing the 2023 Alaskan Scottish Highland Games Official Design

Scotland is one of a handful of countries around the world whose national animal is one of myths and legends. The unicorn has been the national animal of Scotland since the 15th century and while most around the world think of the unicorn as just a horse with a mono-horn out of its head, to Scotland and her people, the unicorn is far more than that.

In Celtic mythology, the unicorn was revered for its white coat representing purity and innocence, the singular horn not present on other animals making them noble, and large equine stature and musculature showing their power and strength. Some folklore suggests that unicorns were the strongest of all animals and untamable except by the purity and innocence of a virgin maiden.

In Scottish heraldry, the unicorn makes its first appearance on the coat of arms of the King of Scots in the late 12th century under King William I. In that coat of arms, is a pair of unicorns flying the Banner of Arms (rampant lion) and the Saltire (St Andrew’s Cross) while supporting the Royal of Arms. The unicorns themselves feature a few interesting attributes, such as, cloven

hooves similar to that of the highland coo, long tufted tails similar to that of the lion, each collared by a crown connected to a chain and standing atop a field of thistles; the latter of which is possibly the most significant. Legend says that the crown collars and chains represent the Kings of Scotland possessing the prowess to wrangle and tame the immensely powerful and untamable unicorn.

The unicorn officially became the national animal of Scotland sometime in the 15th century under King James III and is prevalent all across Scotland, from large statues atop structures, architectural features in buildings and subtle appearances everywhere. Beginning in 2015, the unicorn is celebrated worldwide on National Unicorn Day, the 9th of April. In short, the

unicorn is not a cute cuddly little rainbow farting horsey but is a reflection of the unyielding voracity and gall of the Scottish people that has been driving fear into her enemies since before the 1st century.

Thank you once again to the amazingly talented Pam Clifton for once again coming up with an amazing Design for the 2023 ASHG. Pam said “He was fun to render.” She just loved spotting them out in England for my granddaughter. She was unaware of the history of the unicorn being Scotland’s symbol (chains and all) before her trip. She was intrigued and found out more while there. This design will be featured on our event poster along with Merch available at the games!

Contributed by Clint White and Jeni McDaniel

Healthy Mama, Happy Baby Workshop

Contributed by Dr. Josh & Bee Well Chiropractic

Aching back, sore shoulders, weak pelvic floor (AKA peeing every time you sneeze). Sound familiar? Sure, these symptoms are often written off as “just part of being pregnant,” but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through them for the long haul.

There are a few different ways to alleviate pregnancy pains—but what about seeing a chiropractor? Chiropractors are well known for treating things like back and neck pain, but can they help with discomfort related to pregnancy?

Read on to learn more about the safety and benefits of seeing a prenatal chiropractor.

A prenatal chiropractor has special knowledge and training around the pregnant body and common pregnancyrelated pain and discomfort. Prenatal chiropractic also focuses more on the pelvis to help with pelvic alignment (which can help with labor and vaginal delivery) and to ensure there’s plenty of room for babies as they grow and invert in the third trimester.

Dr. Josh at Bee Well is skilled in the Webster Technique, a method that can help support healthy pregnancies and births.The Webster Technique is a sacral analysis, diversified adjustment, and related soft tissue release for all weight bearing individuals and is utilized to enhance neuro-biomechanics in that individual. Through specific, intentional sacral adjustments our goal is to restore balance and optimize normal function of the sacrum and pelvis.

Meet Athena

If prenatal chiropractic is something you’re curious about, you can get started with care at really any time in your pregnancy. So even if you’re into your second or third trimester, if you’re just finding out about chiropractic care, don’t feel like you’re late to the game. Although in a perfect world, [you] would start chiropractic care before getting pregnant, Starting the pregnancy journey with a balanced and strong pelvic floor and back is the best thing [you] could do to help minimize any complications or pain during the pregnancy. Therefore, the earlier the better!

But in case you haven’t put much thought into seeing a chiropractor until after you’re pregnant and have started experiencing some pain or discomfort, there is no better time to get under

chiropractic care than right away!

Success Story: This momma came to us suffering with SI joint pain. The pain was affecting her sleep, comfort and overall daily activities. Her pregnancy goals were to deliver her baby naturally and at a birthing center. This momma saw us consistently her WHOLE pregnancy and we were happy to see her birthing dreams come true! We celebrated with her that her labor was shorter than anticipated & delivery was all natural with no interventions needed. She had an immediate connection with her baBEE and breastfeeding was successful! It’s a beautiful thing to watch someone reach their fullest potential and we are just happy to assist with that journey in some way.

meeting new people, but eventually settles in and is quite friendly and charming. Athena is up to date on vaccines and deworming, but still needs to be spayed. She will be spayed by 04/20. If you would like to meet this lovely girl, call Angie at Alaska Animal Advocates at (907) 841-3173.

Contributed by Angie Lewis Alaska Animal Advocates This sweet Shep Mix is approximately 8 to 10 weeks old. She is a bit shy when

PETS & ANIMALS

Pit Bull Opinions

Contributed by Angie Lewis

Alaska Animals Advocates

Everyone has a strong opinion about Pit Bulls. People either love them passionately or despise them, mostly because of fear. The term Pitbull refers to a dog that is descended from Bulldogs and Terriers. Some people bred these dogs to use as fighting dogs, encouraging aggression. Even these dogs were showing aggression to other dogs, not people. These dogs were trained to hold on to large animals such as bulls, bears or other large animals. When this practice was no longer popular these dogs were trained to fight with other dogs. As a result of random breeding, these dogs have a wide range of behaviors. With positive early experiences, Pitbulls can be loving, Family dogs. In fact, Pit

Bulls were known as the American Family Dog. Any dogs that have not been properly socialized can become very aggressive. Statistics show that Pit Bulls do not bite people any more than other dogs do. The problem here is that their bites are much more serious than other dogs’. Sadly, this has resulted in Pit Bull bans in various cities across the country. As with other general, broad sweeping laws, there are a great deal of unfair practices or laws regarding Pits. Breed specific legislation is unfair and doesn’t address the individuality found in dogs. Often, the kinds of strategies dealing with Pit Bulls are the very strategies that help to isolate the dogs from people – the exact thing that encourages negative behavior characteristics. \ In terms of health – Pit Bulls often

have problems with their skin, such as allergies, tumors, and even skin cancer. Pit Bulls can have knee problems, because of their high activity levels. Hip Dysplasia is often a problem for Pitties. These dogs can also have problems with their thyroids. This can be exhibited by gaining weight and having trouble walking.

Another stereotype about Pit Bulls is that they cannot get along with cats or other small animals, presumably because they are seen as prey. In fact, as long as these dogs have enough parental guidance and know how to accept parental guidance and input there should be no problem.

HOW IT WORKS: Pick up your free yellow ALPAR (Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling) bags at the following locations: Wasilla City Hall, Menard Sports Center, or Wasilla Museum between the hours of 8am-4pm.

DROP-OFF: Take filled bags to the community dumpster in the Iditapark parking lot, next to Wonderland: May 1-5 from 5-7pm and May 6 from 10am-2pm.

Candy flavored tobacco. TRICK OR TREAT?

Fruit and candy flavored tobacco products are designed to appeal to youth. 81% of youth who try tobacco, choose a flavored tobacco product as their first tobacco choice.

97% of youth who currently vape, use a flavored product.