“During the evening show, multiple people brought up homelessness in the Mat-Su area, and the overwhelming majority of hands raised were in support of having that discussion. I was moved by the empathy and honesty in the room.”
Contributed by Josh Fryfogle The musical performances at the Jan 11th Show of Hands event was the perfect accompaniment to this civic engagement. For most of the night, the musicians gave us their best, on the best stage in the Mat-Su, by far. The rest of the night, the music served the purpose we had hoped it would, to remind people that we can work together and talk about difficult topics with peace and harmony. I was amazed at the hearts of the musicians, and how the hearts of the audience were opened. People spoke with regard for one another, and I felt hope in the room. HERE ARE THE TOPICS THAT WERE NOMINATED FOR DISCUSSION BY LOCAL PEOPLE LIKE YOU: >> Plastic Water Bottles, Plastic Waste >> Psychiatric Medications Being Overprescribed >> Social Security Admin Cutting Representative Payee Program
>> Permanent Fund Dividend >> Overtime Being Over Taxed >> Hemp Applications for Industry >> Finding a Solution to Homelessness in the Mat-Su >> General Role of Government in Our Lives >> No Elected Representatives Attended the Event >> Self-Sufficiency in Alaska >> Transportation as a Community Issue These were the issues that were spoken into the public record, in a public place, at Glenn Massay Theater. Offered up with sincerity by local People in attendance, these topics were explained for roughly two minutes by the human person who nominated them. These topics were recorded, and will be disseminated online and on the radio (95.5 The Pass) in the coming months. Those in attendance were able to vote for, or not vote for, as many of these topics as they chose. Then, the topic with the most show of hands, at each of the two events,
was discussed - not debated - by the people in attendance. During the matinee, multiple people spoke on the Permanent Fund Dividend, and the large majority of People voted to discuss that topic. The conversation was as close to a consensus as I could imagine, but rather than tell you what I think was said, we made video and audio recordings of it, so stay tuned for more. During the evening show, multiple people brought up homelessness in the Mat-Su area, and the overwhelming majority of hands raised were in support of having that discussion. I was moved by the empathy and honesty in the room. Thank you to all of the volunteers, my staff, the theater staff, the musicians, and most importantly, the People who stepped up, spoke up, and lived up to the Liberty that we’ve all been given. I was proud to be an Alaskan at this event. Music makes sense of things.
Wearable Art Fashion Show 2020
MORE ON PAGE 10 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Michele Harmeling, United Way of Mat-Su It’s hard to believe it’s already 2020! United Way of Mat-Su would like to extend heartfelt thanks to our community. Your generous, ongoing support means we will be able to advance education, financial stability and health for all in the Mat-Su, for years to come. The application period for State of Alaska PFDs is now open! Don’t forget to Pick.Click.Give to your favorite local non-profit. It’s a quick and easy way to donate, and your contributions through the Pick.Click.Give program help organizations like United Way of Mat-Su provide vital programs and services across the state. McKinley Fire Relief and Long-term Recovery: The McKinley Fire Long-term Recovery Group continues its efforts to bring fire survivors and their families back to stable, pre-disaster conditions. Despite the cold, the construction management team has completed a cabin that will be move-in ready for a fire family soon. Another cabin is nearing completion and will provide a permanent, warm home for a family in need. The LTRG is providing heating assistance to those in need, including firewood, heating oil and propane. Case management is ongoing as we work to remain in regular contact, assessing the needs of each family as we move forward. The Case Management team works carefully to ensure confidentiality while addressing survivors’ needs with compassion, efficiency and sensitivity to the uniqueness of the community. Our recent rummage sale was a success, even at -10 below! The sale raised over $700, which will directly benefit fire recovery efforts. Special thanks to Ritchie Bros. auctioneers, and to those who bravely volun-
Contributed by Amy Pettit Alaska Farmland Trust is 501c3 nonprofit based in Palmer. If you’re not familiar with our mission, our primary goal is the permanent protection of agriculturally-viable soils throughout Alaska. Since our inception 15 years ago, we have helped landowners place conservation easements on 318 acres in the greater Palmer area. Not only will these acres never become strip malls, subdivisions or gravel pits, but they will stay farmland FOREVER. The soils will always and only(!) be used for agricultural production – to grow vegetables for our communities, hay for our thriving equine industry or other actively managed uses for long term soil health. There are two ways that a landowner can work with Farmland Trust to permanently protect their farm: by donating an easement on their property or by negotiating purchase
teered to work outside in the cold: Brenda McCain, Butch Corgen, Linda Cline and Traci Odom. For more information on fire relief efforts, visit www.mckinleyfireltrg.info. Project Homeless Connect 2020 This year’s Project Homeless Connect will take place on Wednesday, January 29th at the Curtis D. Menard Center from 10am-3pm. Those experiencing housing instability and homelessness are invited to this oneday, one-stop shop, where services including foot care, personal care, public health screenings and a hot meal are available free of charge. Volunteers are still needed to make the day run smoothly. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Becky Stoppa at 745-5827 or impact@unitedwaymatsu.org. Applications for vendors are still being accepted. If you are a local service provider and would like to apply, please call 745-5827 or email impact@unitedwaymatsu.org. Early Childhood Partnership Updates: The Early Childhood Partnership is excited to offer several new programs in 2020! Join us for Play Time at the Borough Gym, every Wednesday from 10am12pm. Parents/caregivers and children ages 5 and under are welcome to attend. You are welcome to bring your own toys, but we ask that Razor scooters, pedal bikes and skateboards stay at home. This project was conceived by Palmer Parents’ Group, administered by the Early Childhood Partnership and funded by a generous grant from Mat-Su Health Foundation. Are you a childcare provider whose facility needs repairs or renovations? Providers are invited to apply for a
of their development rights to Farmland Trust. You can learn more about both options on our website at akfarmland.com or by scheduling an appointment with our executive director or a board member. In the past four years, we’ve doubled our protected acres, tripled our corporate giving, and sold out nearly every event we’ve hosted. As the interest in our organization grows, more farmers seek our assistance in preserving their farms. This is GREAT news, but in order to capitalize on the momentum, we need to develop a sustaining members program. And…we need YOUR help! That is exactly why we’ve launched our “2020 by 2020 Farmland Superhero” campaign. With 2020 Alaskans contributing as little as $10 a month towards Farmland Trust, we can save a farm per year! We can become less reliant on the uncertainty of state and foundation funding, and protect more Alaskan farmland!
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Facility Repair grant through ECP. What qualifies under this grant? Playground repairs and improvements (ie; sanding, painting, repairing or replacing equipment, gravel and yard fill/maintenance) Purchases of supplies or items to improve safety (ie: outlet and heat register covers, non-slip floor coverings, security lighting) Repairs to center interiors to meet inspection requirements Improvements to center exteriors and exterior walkways to improve safety Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Once your application is complete, you will be contacted by the ECP administrator to schedule a walk-through of your facility. Applications missing materials will not be considered. Generally, grants will be awarded in amounts of $500-$2,000. Questions? Please call 745-5824 or email admin@unitedwaymatsu.org. Do You Know A Valley Youth Who Excels at Community Service? Nominations are now open for the Thrive Mat-Su Youth Making A Difference Awards. Have you worked with or do you know a Mat-Su youth who volunteers their time for their community? Please consider nominating them for the Thrive Mat-Su Youth Volunteer of the Year award. Awards are given to one Middle School and one High School Volunteer. All materials must be submitted by February 7, 2020. To receive a nomination form, please contact Becky Stoppa at 745-5824 or impact@unitedwaymatsu.org. Stay up to date on all our programs, services and projects: www. unitedwaymatsu.org Interested in volunteering? Get started at www. unitedwaymatsu.org/volunteer. Find us on Facebook: @unitedwaymatsu.
There are multiple ways to join the campaign and become a Farmland Superhero: Use the DONATE button on our website at www.akfarmland. com, TEXT your donation amount to (907) 802-5892 and be sure to check the “recurring” box to make your contribution monthly and become a Farmland Superhero! Remember that your donation to Farmland Trust is tax deductible. When you become a farmland superhero, there are more benefits than just knowing you’re helping protect our food future. You’ll get first access to tickets to our events, special invites to unique gatherings on our properties and more! Sign up today – let’s do this! If you have any questions or need additional information about Farmland Trust, or becoming a farmland superhero, please don’t hesitate to contact our executive director at AmyPettit@akfarmland. com or at (907) 355-2706.
COMMUNITY Contributed by Marilyn Bennett The Algonkian term, “moz” is loosely translated as “twig eater”, and I am told that this pretty much describes the diet of the moose, at least in the winter. I was excited and concerned about moving into the territory of such a large animal. I had read that moose maintain their massive physique by consuming up to 50 pounds of food a day. I read that in general, the moose preferred trees and shrubs such as willows, aspen, dogwood and maple. Although in the summer, they prefer aquatic plants. The latter is what worried me. My friends told me that they were not very picky eaters so they could invade my vegetable garden in the morning and spend the afternoon eating my hedge. When we purchased our home here in Palmer, we noticed there were some moose droppings in the front yard. I did not immediately panic. I had quite a bit of experience with deer from gardening in Minnesota where I had tried many different ways to keep the deer from decimating my gardens. These included coating my tulips with Vicks VapoRub only to discover, that indeed, the deer did not like Vicks VapoRub. However, instead of ignoring the tulips, they would bite the blooms off and then spit them back out, littering my garden with ruined tulips. We had two old apple trees and it was fun to watch the deer under the trees feasting on our apples. However, when a storm took out one of the trees and we planted two new trees, they proceeded to eat the new trees to the ground. Very disappointing.
Contributed by Paula Nance, Mat-Su Sertoma Club Mat-Su Polar Plunge 2/22/2020 Mat-Su Sertoma Club Everett’s Cost: $100 to Jump During my daily walk, I saw the fallen leaves, long gone and glorious in their leaving, laying scattered thick on the ground, not surprised that I could see them all due to our lack of snow. I wasn't expecting these crunchy has-beens to whisper encouragement and instruction to my soul, but I listened. You see, we all leave in many ways. I am not alone. Each of us are constantly being invited to stop clinging, clutching the old, and release ourselves to the wind into the new. Falling from the tree into the unknown can be disorienting and scary. Where am I going? What will I become? Who will I be without my previous identity as part of a glorious tree? Will my story cease in my
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So now that I will be dealing with moose, I decided not to try any of the many moose repellents. I already had experience making a spray with dish soap, water and cayenne pepper. Another idea was, take a cake of Irish Spring soap, chip it up and dot it around the perimeter of the garden. None of these repellents were very effective on deer in Minnesota, so I decided on a different tactic here in Alaska. We moved into our house in Palmer in May and by July, I had removed any unwanted plants from around the foundation and started planting. I had decided to plant what I hoped the moose would not like. I had heard they didn't like mint, so I planted mint along with Lily of the Valley, ferns and lamium in my garden that bordered the woods on the west side of my yard. All of these plants grow fast and so even if the moose decided to make a meal of them, I was confident that these plants would come right back. My first sighting of a moose and her youngster was in October of last year. Our neighbor told us that a moose usually appeared in the fall to feast on his apple tree. He said they liked to travel along the electric company easement, which ran along the west side of his house. This moose and her large youngster examined and ate some apples from my neighbor's tree and then crossed the street to my garden. The only plants I was concerned about were asleep for the winter and the moose showed zero interest in my glass flowers. Winter went by without sighting them again and I planted with abandon over the summer and sure enough she showed up at the beginning of November this year with a
falling? Here's the actuality. We all are a walking, breathing, dynamic system of releasing and being made new. It's happening right now even as you read this. Unknown to you, osteoclasts inside you are breaking down your bone tissue, and osteoblasts are filling your bones with new skeletal material. And it's not just your bones being made new. Your stomach cells can renew as fast as every two days. Your skin cells every two to three weeks. Red blood cells, four months, white blood cells two days to a week. I am sad to report, fat cells linger and can last an average of ten years. You are constantly being made new. Yet, we clutch and cling to the old like a dog wearying a bone. We clench tightly outdated visions for ourselves we had when we were in our twenties and thirties. We fear change. We cling to theologies that we no longer really believe, fearful of being tagged a heretic. We clench our fists holding
much younger calf. We were very happy to see her and decided we are not only okay with only having her come to visit once a year, but positively ecstatic. Since then I learned that during winter months, moose prefer to eat shrubs and pine cones. Therefore, she may not think our yard is any more special than the electric easement. We have decided we have the best of all worlds, beautiful gardens in the summer and great photo-ops in the fall and winter. Although two years do not a trend make, I will happily conclude that my gardens have survived two summers and so am happy with that. I will continue to plant under the assumption that our moose is as content with this arrangement as we are. If the year arrives that she wants to eat my plants, I will deal with that when it happens. In the meantime I planted 135 daffodils this fall because another obscure website said that daffodils deter squirrels and rabbits, as well as deer. Time will tell. I have noticed that as my gardens get bigger, it tends to attract rather than repel rodents. Such is the life of gardeners living close to nature.
thoughts that no longer hold water. We clutch past definitions of success, significance, as if our very survival depended on it. We are slow to realize the unfolding glory of our own personal, seasonal story. What looks like approaching death and darkness, is actually more life and light than we can imagine. Those of us who have lived in Alaska for decades know the truth of it. Everything about you is changing. Unless your thoughts, visions and paradigms change with your season, you will end up frustrated and depressed. Trust me, I know. As we look to a new decade, find the new season in your life. Come jump in the Mat-Su Plunge on February 22, 2020 at Everett’s/Mat Su Resort and raise funds for a great cause. Register at www.matsuplunge.org. To a renewed YOU in 2020! "I want to Jump!” - Register at www. matsuplunge.org.
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is weather resistant, easy to clean, and doesn’t need to be stained.
Contributed by Jill Farris, Valley Community for Recycling Solutions The world is well-aware of the amount of plastic collecting in nature and how minuscule pieces impact the air we breathe, our drinking water and the food web. Hindsight on goals set for 2020 to pulverize the mounting threat of plastic pollution reveals that every decade plastic production has been doubling. Introducing new policy to support and improve the material recovery rate, industry and government plan to fund upgrades through the EPA to the existing framework Valley Community for Recycling Solutions coordinates its operations within. Educating consumers to take the necessary steps and expand the value of recycling are worth the effort, still. Globally, the plastics industry produces 300 million tons of plastic every year. Responding to pressure on the industry, efforts to fix plastic pollution and change the statistics appear to be underway. The Association of Plastics Recyclers recommends that ALL plastic packaging in the marketplace today be compatible with the plastics recycling infrastructure. Size and shape are critical parameters in recycling facilities’ sorting, and this must be considered in designing packages for recycling. It is in any business’ interest to understand these issues and find production and management solutions that support sustainable consumption. ‘Closing the Loop’ creates stable markets for
Contributed by Amy Pettit Farm Prom 2/28/2020 - 6PM Mat-Su Farm Bureau & Alaska Farmland Trust Palmer Train Depot 610 S Valley Way, Palmer Tickets: $50 Who’s ready to make some new prom memories? Dust off your boots, ball gowns and black ties…or just grab your best farm attire and join the Mat-Su Farm Bureau & Alaska Farmland Trust
Contributed by Sharon Aubrey, Relevant Publishers, LLC. Like many Alaskans, you probably found yourself entering 2020 a little surprised. It seemed we entered a time warp at the last decade, as the last 10 years flew. The daily grind for survival kept most people distracted. Stuck in a routine punctuated by moments of pain or pleasure, we often fail to look up. Not planning a vision for our future, it suddenly arrives and a decade has past, catching us off-guard. The 2010s brought new relationships into our lives, fresh opportunities, freedom from old ruts and many unexpected journeys. I’m sure you see them now as you look back. To others, it brought the death of a loved one, the loss of a home, a challenging diagnosis, the chains of addiction or a search for the meaning of life and peace. Reflecting the transition to another decade made me ponder, “How can
recycling and ensures the continuation and expansion of our existing recycling program. Without a demand, there is no economy to support recycling. With that said, we like to highlight ideas that make a positive impact using materials made out of reclaimed plastics. Several manufacturers are experimenting with reusing waste products. Here are examples of products made from the four (4) types of plastics that you can recycle at VCRS: PET #1 BOTTLES: Looking for something cool to wear? A limited supply of classic sweatshirts representing the clear, iconic forms and colors seen in our national parks are available for purchase at VCRS fundraisers. This clothing is made from single-use plastic bottles containing polyethylene terephthalate. Interestingly, the North Face’s Bottle Source line has collected hundreds of thousands of pounds of plastic bottles from the national park waste streams and made them into t-shirts and hoodies. One dollar from sales goes back into recycling programs for the National Parks Foundation. Patagonia sells a mesh bag to catch microfibers that shed from polyester apparel in the wash cycle. “Research shows that garments of a higher quality shed less in the wash than low-quality synthetic products,” they write. “Today, our materials team uses recycled polyester made from used soda bottles and unusable manufacturing waste to create new polyester fibers for clothing.
for FARM PROM! This adult’s-only night out will be held Friday, February 28th at the Palmer Train Depot. Your ticket includes local food, your first beverage and entertainment by two of Alaska’s favorite bands. We couldn’t decide if we wanted country or rock n’ roll, so we’re having BOTH! Live music by The Ken Peltier Band and I Like Robots.
And our extensive field testing shows it performs just as well, if not better, as gear made from virgin polyester.” HDPE #2 JUGS: Used for street and highway and residential drainage applications, storm and sanitary sewers, agriculture, mining, wastewater treatment and waste management, high density polyethylene is formulated into a recycled resin called thermoplastic. The material meets and exceeds industry standards because it can handle abrasive runoffs and is lighter in weight and easier to install than comparable products made with traditional materials - like concrete. Green Line Polymers is the subsidiary that has seen sales increase of corrugated pipes by Advanced Drainage Services, Inc. using recycled HDPE 2 plastic; including the new PE detergent bottles, which are fully recyclable through traditional post-consumer recycling channels. PE FILM & BAGS: VCRS is proud to supply material to the world’s largest manufacturer of recycled backyard decks, fences, and park benches, even playground equipment. Recently, Trex Company, Inc. has expanded its capacity to meet continued demand for petroleum-based low density polyethylene plastic bags used by retailers for: shopping, dry cleaning, delivering newspapers and product wrap for remanufacturing into a high performance, non-biodegradable wood alternative. This lightweight composite material, made from 95% recycled plastic film and reclaimed wood fiber,
available, but keep in mind this is prom! Take your date out for a nice dinner beforehand and enjoy our delicious finger foods to keep you satiated while you dance the night away. We’ll have beer, wine and kombucha from some of your favorite Alaskan brewers for purchase. Remember your first drink is included in the ticket price. Tickets are $50/person and proceeds benefit the Mat-Su Chapter of the Alaska Farm Bureau and Alaska Farmland Trust, two local organizations working hard to advocate for and protect our great agriculture industry and resources.
Doors open at 6pm with music starting at 7pm. The menu is designed to highlight as many local foods as
Admission is limited and tickets are on sale first to Farm Bureau members. If you’re not already enjoying the many incredible benefits of Farm Bureau
we truly change the next 10 years?” After all, millions of people make new year’s resolutions, most of which they fail to actually keep. So aside from a well-intentioned wish, how do we bring purposeful change to ours lives in the next decade? The answer is surprisingly simple. Real change comes from knowledge and begins internally. If we want to experience positive growth, we need to expand our understanding and bring correction to our lives from our new paradigms.
15 minutes a day, audiobooks provide knowledge and are perfect for car rides, workouts and daily chores. But with a vast array of good choices, how does one know where to begin their literary journey to personal improvement and real change?
There are many ways to expand our knowledge, but the most effective and least expensive is to read a variety of books. Reading exposes us to innovative concepts as well as timeless truths, reveals cultural differences and universal struggles, and uncovers scientific discoveries. Above all, it encourages personal development. There are literally millions of books to bring introspection and growth. Even if you don’t feel you have the time to sit and read
The answer isn’t simply choosing the “right” books, as much as it is diversifying genres. The most prosperous people today, including Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, and Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, live by expanding their reading selection to encompass almost every aspect of life not just areas that bring them entertainment. This year challenge yourself to read one book a month and include autobiographies, personal growth, historical books on your country or state, other cultures, animals, environment, and other scientific wonders and of course fiction. From the above genres, the wealthiest
The Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge looks for schools to participate in a fun and easy way to encourage recycling and to win a playground bench. Last year, “Participants kept over 500,000 pounds of plastic waste from ending up in landfills,” said a Trex Company representative. PP #5 CONTAINERS: There is a functional demonstration unit in the VCRS classroom that heats plastics at a high temperature. The liquefied plastic becomes a mixed oil resource that can be turned into a type of diesel equivalent fuel to heat homes. Benefits to Alaskans are immediate once the hydrocarbons made from petroleum into plastics can be converted back to liquid fuel. The oil, which is a mix of different hydrocarbon compounds, can be used to make building blocks for gasoline and other fuels and chemicals. Analysis shows the conversion process uses less energy and results in fewer emissions than incinerating polypropylene plastics or mechanically recycling them. GARDEN POTS: VCRS sets out a big collection bin in the drive thru during the months of May through September. Customers can drop off all types of plastic pots, trays, and cell packs for redistribution to local gardening clubs to reuse. NO broken pots, wood, terracotta or hanging pots. Taking to heart the many responsible behaviors taught through reduce, reuse and recycle lessons, consumers can continue to improve their waste management habits without too much effort. VCRS is located at 9465 E. Chanlyut Circle, Palmer, AK across from the Mat-Su Borough Central Landfill and Animal Care Facility.
membership, considering joining for just $40 annually. Check out the full slate of benefits and join today at www. alaskafb.org. If there are still tickets available, they will go on sale to non-farm bureau members on February 1st. More information and ticket sales at www. brownpapertickets.com, search for “Farm Prom”. The evening will include door prizes, gift baskets and an auction item or two. We may even crown a Farm Prom King & Queen, so get your Farm Bureau membership, get your tickets to Farm Prom and start planning that outfit! Questions? Contact Amy Pettit at amypettit@akfarmland.com
readers advise focusing primarily on autobiographies for inspiration followed by history and personal growth books. They also recommend cultivating personal financial management, one of America’s most challenging subjects, with 8 out of 10 people living paycheck to paycheck. As a starting point for your 2020 literary journey, here is a list of the most recommended books in the last 10 years: “Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography”, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey, “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey, “Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown, “Eat That Frog!” by Brian Tracy, “The 5 Second Rule” by Mel Robbins, and “Your Money or Your Life” by Vicki Robin. Whatever you read, whether it is one of these books or another title, don’t let this decade pass you by like the last. May 2020 enrich and bless you in new ways.
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and Anxiety Disorder.
Contributed by Laura Wagner, Alaska Attachment & Bonding Associates
research of the online mental health tool, ADAPT.
train a workshop in May. We will let you know the details as soon as they are set.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to cancel the Myth, Meaning & Magic Bullets workshop. Dr. Delaney has decided to accept a new job focusing more on development and
In any case, he will be moving from Wisconsin to New Mexico the first of the year and will not be traveling and speaking for the next couple of years. We are trying to get his co-author to
These workshops are very important for families and professionals who care for children with trauma and stressorrelated disorders such as Attachment Disorder, Attachment Disruption, PTSD
Contributed by Scott Taylor
at the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough Economies in 2020”. This free lecture is open to the public and begins at 6:30pm with a reception and light refreshments to follow.
Borough Mayor’s office from 2002 to 2007 focused on oil and gas and mining policy. Popp served as an elected official for the Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) from 1996 to 2002 and presided over the KPB Assembly as president in 2000. Popp has over 25 years of private industry experience working for large national and regional businesses and as a small business owner. He also served as project coordinator of the Challenger Learning Center for Alaska from 1996 to 2000.
6th Annual Northrim Bank Lecture Series 2/12/2020 - 6:30PM Northrop Bank The Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E College Dr. Palmer FREE Event On Wednesday, February 12th, MatSu College will host the 6th Annual Northrim Bank Lecture Series in The Glenn Massay Theater. This year’s keynote speaker Bill Popp, president and CEO of Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), will discuss Alaska’s changing economic landscape in his presentation, “An Imperfect Look
Bill Popp has spent 46 years in the Alaska private and public sectors. As president and CEO of the AEDC since 2007, he sets the strategic direction in marketing Anchorage and Alaska to companies and global industries and assists local businesses looking to expand within Anchorage and Alaska, as well as Lower 48 and international markets. Prior to joining AEDC, Popp was a special assistant in the Kenai Peninsula
Find out more about Anchorage and Mat-Su Borough’s economic futures on Wednesday, February 12th at 6:30pm at The Glenn Massay Theater.
lung cancer. Most radon exposure occurs in the home or workplace where people spend a lot of time. Contributed by Julie Cascio, UAF Cooperative Extension Service With buildings closed due to outside cold, January is the time to test for radon gas in your home.
In the winter when people have their homes closed up there can be higher levels of radon because of the “stack effect”. This illustrates that as cold air comes underneath the home, it warms up, expands and rises.
Radon is a radioactive gas which occurs naturally. It is the decay of uranium below the earth’s surface. Small cracks and holes in the foundation or sides allow radon to flow into a building.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. (Tobacco smoke is first.) Radon lets radioactive alpha particles loose, which slam into lung lining cells. This can damage the lungs and cause feet! When I'm in need of pets and attention, I'll come to you and wind around your legs while I purr and meow.
Contributed by Jerika Lund, Clear Creek Cat Rescue Hi my name is Gigi! I am a young boy, sleek and utterly gorgeous. I have tons of energy and love romping around the house playing. I adore having someone to play with! I'll curl up and sleep at your
I can be a little shy and will need patience, but I can assure you, I'll be a wonderful kitty friend. I get along well with gentle dogs and other cats! I’ve been patiently waiting for the right family to love me! I’m only a year old with lots of life and love to give! In Wasilla. Call 980-8898.
It has no taste, smell, or color. To find how much radon is present inside a building, a radon test kit is used to sample indoor air quality. To get a radon test kit for a home or business in the Mat-Su, on January 23rd, visit the Matanuska Experiment Farm, 1509 S Georgeson Dr, Kerttula Room 103, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. In Anchorage, call 786-6330 or Alaska Radon Hotline at 800-478-8324. Radon can vary widely from one
When adults know how to support a child’s healthy development and can create experiences for learning children grow up with curiosity and confidence they need to succeed in school and life. They all play an important role in nurturing a child’s development, leaning and health. We can help children have a strong start in life by ensuring that all the adults in their lives are equipped with the best information, coaching, resources and support they need to help the children in their care grow and thrive.
Northrim Bank Lecture Series presents: Bill Popp “An Imperfect Look at the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough Economies in 2020” on Wednesday, February 12, 2020. Open to the public. Presentation - 6:30pm, Reception to follow, at The Glenn Massay Theater, Mat-Su College, 8295 E College Road, Palmer, AK 99654. Free Admission. Contact: Scott Taylor Manager of Web and Digital Media Mat-Su College smtaylor14@alaska.edu 907-746-9355
home to another, even in the same neighborhood! It may be coming from the ground underneath, or from the building’s undersurface cracks. Ground shaking, like the major seismic event 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 2018, can cause physical damage to both bedrock and building structures, putting homes at risk for radon. Based on national building standards, radon testing is advised. This is whether or not a home has been previously tested. So, get a test kit and check your building for radon.
She is not a fan of dogs, nor of intimidating cats. She has lived peaceably with another mellow cat. Contributed by Jerica Lund, Clear Creek Cat Rescue Scarf is a beautiful, blue-eyed, Siamese snowshoe girl. She is sleek and slim and has a weird, little, curled-up tail. She is about 6 years old. Scarf is wonderfully sweet with her people. She loves to be pet and to share love and companionship with her humans.
Scarf was raised in a small cabin and she prefers small cozy spaces to nestle down with her people. She is very curious and intelligent. And she does like to hunt in a safe place. A little yard where she can go outside and watch the world would be a happy adventure. She's in Wasilla. To learn more, call 980-8898.
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ADULT PIANO LESSONS Hitchcock Piano Studio ........ 745-3134 APPAREL & CLOTHING All Seasons Clothing ........ 357-0123 D’s Tuxedo ........ 707-6585 Mila’s Alterations ........ 830-8339 ART & CRAFTS Artists Uncorked… 982-2675 The Gallery ........ 745-1420 BOOKSTORE A Black Sheep Shop ......... 376-8198 Black Birch Books ...... 373-2677 Fireside Books ........ 745-2665 CAFÉ & COFFEE Alaska Artisan Coffee ........ 745-5543 Gathering Grounds ........ 376-4404 Vagabond Blues……..745-2233 CANNABIS RETAILER Matanuska Cannabis Co. ...... 745-4211 CLEANING SERVICE Liz’s Cleaning Service ......... 982-9545 CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT Artists Uncorked ........ 982-2675 EDUCATION Learning Essentials ........ 357-3990 FOOTWEAR Northern Comfort ........ 376-5403 HEALTH & WELLNESS All About Herbs ........ 376-8327 Just Botanicals ....... 414-3663 Lone Wolf Aura ........ 631-0482 HOME DÉCOR Peak Boutique ........ 746-3320 PIZZA Humdingers Pizza ........ 745-7499 PHLEBOTOMY SERVICES Valley Phlebotomy ........ 376-6435 PRINT SERVICES The UPS Store ........ 746-6245 REPAIR, RESTORATION Comtronics ........ 373-2669 S&S Drilling ...... 746-0225 The Powdercoat Shop .... 841-1300 SPECIALTY GIFTS Alaska Midnite Scents ........ 357-7364 Non-Essentials ........ 745-2258 The Boardwalk Shop ........ 357-8980 THRIFT SHOPS Steam Driven Boutique ........ 376-4404 Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Stores ........ 376-5708 TOYS Just Imagine Toys ........ 357-1543 Learning Essentials .......... 357-3990
Contributed by Russel Sampson, Alaska Democratic Party Have you been pouring over the Democrat candidate line-up? Are you ready to fulfill your civic duty by casting a vote for your favorite frontrunner? You will need to be registered
Contributed by Wes Keller Have you considered running for the Alaska State Legislature? Aspiring to be an elected leader can be honorable, but I caution you, it is likely you will over-estimate the potential returns! Don’t make the mistake of itemizing the reasons you might do this using the “Civics 101” definition of what a state legislator is! The ugly truth is that the Alaska legislative role has been severely eroded/ diminished by a combination of the constitutional design, and, by being quarantined in Juneau. Depending on your motivation, you may actually be wasting your time to run for office! This is a bit of over-statement for emphasis; but in general, the Alaska Legislature has been carefully and intentionally stripped of much of its legislative authority! Unelected state employees in various state agencies write far more “laws” (regulations) than the legislature. Our judiciary has declared these administrative regulations enforceable with essentially the same weight as a legislated statute. If you think regulations are subordinate to sponsoring legislation, you are technically correct but naïve. Statutes authorizing agency authorship of regulations are very broad and may have little to do with specifics. We have many bad regulations (laws) on the books which could never have gotten through the legislature on their own merits. The regulation-writing process avoids much of the mindnumbing, but “cleansing” debate of the legislative process. Regulations quickly become a means to protect government interests rather than the human interest of would-be legislative constituents. This squandering of legislative responsibility has happened over time and cannot be easily reversed. The legislature has had little success slow-
Contributed by Huhnkie Lee These days, the doomsday prophecy has been playing the starring role in the secular theaters. Anti-Climate-Change activists has taken over the schools, politics, academia and media. Their theory is that as we consume fossil fuel, carbon dioxides (CO2) level in the atmosphere will go up, the increased CO2 will have a green house effect and trap the light energy inside of the earth, the earth’s temperature will go up, the raised temperature will melt the icebergs in the arctic and Antarctic oceans, the ocean level will go up and finally, the cities nearing the seashores will be submerged under the sea. I contend that such theory is misguided. I further contend that, even if 100% of all the ice in polar regions melt away, the sea level will not rise, not by a single centimeter. Actually, the sea level will go down by a little bit. Though perhaps this contention may come as a shock to many, it is based on science. Let us examine. Let us conduct a thought experiment. It won’t take an Einstein to know that if you freeze water on an ice tray, the volume of the water expands as the water freezes and form an ice cube. If you look into an ice cube, it has many bubbles in it. Also, even if ice has no bubble, the rigid structure of the ice has a bigger volume than fluid water, because in water, molecules slide by to minimize the volume; while in ice, molecules cannot move around like they
with the Alaska Division of Elections before February 2020 to ensure your voice is heard! Alaska residents can register as early as age 17½ and must be a minimum of 18 years old to vote on election day. Visit www.elections.alaska.gov to register,
ing the flow of bad regulations, not from lack of trying. Lacking the power to properly maintain our law books, legislators tend to prioritize the liaison role of negotiating between their Alaskan constituents and an abusive government. This case-by-case approach is well motivated, but rarely does much to ensure improvement of our laws. The Alaskan Legislature has even created a Legislative Ombudsman Office, https:// ombud.alaska.gov/, (one of only four in the US) to deal with administrative abuse. It is painfully slow, over-booked, and arguably over-cautious about potential political battles or attention. It cannot afford to offend too many legislators and jeopardize funding, so it tends to prioritize harmony over strictness of good standards. A good job championing constituent rights is valuable for campaigning, but the cost (staff time in particular) is very high for what is achieved over-all. The primary “tools” in a legislator’s liaison tool box are “begging” and “threatening”. Effective “begging” requires a submissive working relationship with state employees and contractors running the agencies, which can be counter-productive in budget negotiations. Nationwide, these state employees and contractors have recently been coined the “Deep State”, revealing Alaska is not unique in this challenge. “Threats” can be effective if tied to funding, so legislators who have seniority and access to budget-bill details have a distinct advantage in this secondary role. The job description of an Alaskan Legislator has arguably been perverted by a combination of Constitutional “tweaks” to “Civics 101 balance of powers”, and, isolation to do business on a remote government “island”. The “tweaking” was originally justified by a perceived need for a more efficient administrative government to deal with the challenge of Alaska’s size and
can in water. For these two reasons, the density of ice is less than water’s density. Not all matters in nature behave this way, but water certainly does. The solid form of water, ice, has less density than water. Because ice is lighter than water per volume, i.e., because ice has less density than water, if you put ice in a glass of water, ice floats. And if you recall, about 10% of the volume of the ice floats over the water, while 90% of the ice is submerged under the water. Now, the question is, will the level of water rise in your glass, after the ice is all melted away? You may experiment it for real easy, but a thought experiment will suffice, because it is an easy concept You may want to online search the term “buoyancy” and familiarize with the concept. Basically, the reason why 10% of ice floats in the water is because ice is 10% less dense than water. It means that, if you had 100 cubic inches of water and freeze it, the ice will have the volume of 110 cubic inches. Now… Imagine that the base of your glass vase has the shape of a 10-inch by 10-inch square and its height is 20 inches. You fill the vase with water up to 10 inches high. Now, you pour 100 cubic inches worth of water into a jar. Now your vase’s water level is 9 inches high. Then you freeze the jar that contains 100 cubic inches of water. After that, the ice will have expanded its volume by 10%, and thus the ice’s volume will be 110 cubic inches. Next, you put that ice block into the vase. What will the water level be, after you put that ice block into the vase? Nine inches? Ten inches? Eleven inches?
check registration status, find polling locations and dates and much more. The Alaska Democratic Party has made significant changes to the process and provides additional information at www.alaskademocrats.org. Help get your nominee on the 2020 ballot!
too few competent statesmen from a relatively tiny population. I have come to believe there is now ample evidence of resulting callousness toward citizens (administrative abuse). This should be no surprise to anyone who understands why checks and balances of power are needed. While it is technically true that Alaska’s governor has more power than any other governor in America, we could only wish it stopped there! It turns out, good and bad governors, can be neutralized by the Alaska “deep state”, just as the legislature gets neutralized. The actual governing authority in Alaska is in the hands of a ruling class claiming to be bipartisan and uncontaminated by politics! Alaska’s Governor position is much like a king on a chessboard. He or she can move in any direction… but… only as allowed by the “deep state”. The strength of the “deep state” in Alaska is particularly obvious in its recent manipulation of the budget process to authorize spending from the Permanent Fund earnings without a vote of the people! Because our constitution retained the traditional “power of the purse” for the legislature, the task of the “deep state” becomes doing whatever is needed to control the legislative majority and governor, especially related to the budget. It is an open question whether voters will be able to elect a majority of legislators to re-gain their influence, but it should be obvious they will get no help from the judiciary, deep state, or the media. (Check out his SJR 3). It looks like Senator Showers agrees! This bill would directly adjust the constitution to address one aspect of the imbalance. Back to your option to run for the legislature, I warn you, if you do resolve to file the minimal paperwork to publicly declare your political intent, one of the very first things you will have to explain to everybody is, “Why? Why are you running?” This is a tougher question to answer than you may anticipate. Wes Keller www.WesKeller.com
If you ask Mr. Archimedes, an ancient Greek physicist in 200s BC, he will say 10 inches. The water level did not change because 10% of the ice is above the water level, and the submerged 90% of the ice has the same volume as 90 cubic inches of water. If you push down the 10% above-thewater ice into the water, the water level will rise by 1/10th of an inch, making the water level 10 plus 1/10th of an inch. But if you let the ice go, the 10% of the ice will float above the water and the water level will go back down to 10-inch level. What happens when all the ice melts down? Ten inches. During the whole process of the ice melting, the water level will stay the same as 10 inches. This is what’s known as Archimedes’ Principle, which I learned in a high school when I was about 15. As I have no kids, I do not know what young people learn in America or Europe or even in Asia, as they don’t seem to know this very basic physics concept. Even if they learned it, they don’t know how to apply it. What do these young people do? They think the melting ice will raise the sea level and they have to stop it, even if it means they should walk out of classrooms and do the “School Strike for Climate” activism. Now, if all icebergs melt down because the earth is too hot, then what will become of the sea level? It will actually go down, because hotter air can contain more moisture and more sea water will be in the atmosphere. See? Yes, children should stay in classrooms.
POLITICS / OPINION Contributed by Jessica Wright Recently, our family went to Anchorage to stay for a couple days, and as we drove by a huge building, we noticed it was an empty commercial building that belongs to Johnson Tire Store. It was perhaps the biggest and fanciest tire store building I’ve ever seen and yet it was empty. It sadly reminded me how Governor Walker and AKLEG’s PFD theft doomed Alaska’s economy. During the Walker Administration, Alaska experienced economic recession not because of the oil price declined in 2015, but the decision that Governor Walker and AKLEG made. Instead of cutting government spending to encounter the budget deficit, they increased the government spending and took people’s PFD to subside the budget deficit for three years in a row (2016, 2017 and 2018). They took 1/2 2/3 of people’s PFD each year. The result was like a 8.0 earthquake shook Alaska’s
Contributed by Kevin McCabe There is a misunderstanding among some of our legislators regarding the definition and purpose of a “dividend”. It’s apparent that many lawmakers, and some Alaskans, have either forgotten why we have a Permanent Fund Dividend or forgotten why it was instituted in the first place. There’s a further disconnect in the basic understanding how a dividend encourages the permanence of the Permanent Fund. Merriam-Webster defines dividend as, “an individual share of something distributed such as a share in a pro-rata distribution (as for profits) to stockholders. Profits are distributed to shareholders as dividends”. The dividend from the Permanent Fund (the PFD) was never intended to be welfare, which is apparently where it currently resides as a line-item in the state budget. In addition to providing a bit of money back for our co-ownership of the state’s mineral wealth, just like any dividend, it was also a means for the shareholders, the residents of Alaska in this case, to monitor the management or mismanagement of our Permanent Fund. Senator Giessel is correct when she says that a dividend was not the
economy. It was estimated 12,00015,000 jobs loss according to AP, ADN. We have seen so many stores, malls, shops and restaurants closed during that period. Meanwhile, our state government funded hundreds nonprofits/ government agencies which created a great financial burden for our state. In March 2018, Businessinsider revealed Alaska was ranked the last place in the nation in economy and highest unemployment rate. Some might wonder why I bring it up. With new governor, Governor Dunleavy, we now are slowly coming out of economic recession. I just want to remind everyone that we are not fully recovered yet. It’s a shame because we have so much natural resources and our tourism is booming, but we have to fight with our own legislature who has the same ideology as Governor Walker. That is big government spending and our PFD belongs to the government even though they already have their own resources funded by the PFD and yet they want our PFD as well. They preferred Governor’s Walker’s budget
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over Governor Dunleavy’s leaner budget. We have seen the showdown last summer and they won the battle once again which enable them to take our PFD four years in a row. Recently, we heard the same narrative once again by Giessel, Edgmon, Johnston, Von Imhof and many others. Something has never changed for they still want our PFD to continue their big government programs. My question for every Alaskan is, “Are we going to allow this happen if they tell us they need our PFD to fund the government services?” What are we going to tell them? What action are we going to take? Do we compromise again and say take our PFD because we like all the government programs? What’s going to happen is Alaska is going to have a very difficult time down the road because we are heading the Socialism path. We can’t afford the ever increasing big government spending. Like Senator Ted Cruz said a few weeks ago, the Lobbyists are the ones bankrupt America with their
original intent of the Permanent Fund. The Permanent Fund itself was set up to pay for state government when oil ran out. It is a mistake, however, to say there is no constitutional right to the PFD.
three decades. If that formula, or way of doing business, results in shrinkage of the dividend which is held by the shareholders (the “militant ring of Alaskans” referenced by Governor Jay Hammond), then we will react accordingly.
The Permanent Fund by design is itself constitutional. The dividend is a voterapproved byproduct of that constitutional legislation - one that ties Alaskans to THEIR Permanent Fund. Because we voted to create the PFD, a vote is required to amend the formula, to terminate it completely, or even to send some of it to communities for their use. Currently the formula, as applied, and the “appropriation” is in violation of the Constitution of the State of Alaska as well as the will of the people. Since it was such a huge material change to the PFD, the people should have been allowed to vote on SB26 which changed the formula as well as changing the dividend from a mere budgetary “transfer” to an appropriation.
The portions of the dividend removed under Walker, and by legislators both past and present, are monies owed to each and every Alaskan. We voted to establish the PFD formulated on the earnings of our constitutionally-established Fund. That Fund performed well and the dividend money from those previous profitable years are owed to Alaskans based on the statutory formula. It does not matter where the funding resides in the budget; calling it an “appropriation” instead of a “transfer” (as it was historically), does not change the nature of the dividend funding. If the state was regulated by the SEC, they would have been investigated for the corporate theft of those monies.
Spending of the corpus, or principle of the Fund, would be more in line with generally accepted accounting principals. Businesses do not take away formulated dividends which are already programmed for payment. Instead, as we allow the legislature to do, they fund the business first before they program or fund their dividend. This was our statutory formula which worked for
And it does not appear that the money stolen from our PFD has ever been used by the legislature. So all discussion about budgets and losses to programs, because of a full PFD, is moot. It is imperative, going forward, to have a fully transparent accounting of the PF, the PFD, and how and where the money has gone. When I asked Senator Von Imhoff, “Why not give the people a vote?” Her response was that legislators
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1.4 trillion spending package submitted to Congress in December 2019. These state-funded government programs are also going to bankrupt our state. First, they want to spend our portion of PFD, then they are going to go for the PFD corpus and in the meantime, they are going to increase taxes. That’s how Democrats operate economy which is Socialism approach and we all know Socialism/Communism only creates poverty. We’ve seen Russia, China, Venezuela, Soviet Union who practiced Communism/Socialism. Are we going to go down the same road again? Haven’t these empty malls, stores, shops, restaurants already served as solid witnesses how the Socialism only deprive the Alaska economy? Do we need several more election cycles to finally learn our lesson like we finally learned Lisa Murkowski is corrupted? I’m afraid it might be too late by then because our legislature only speaks for the lobbyists not for the people and they plan to use up all our resources regardless how we protest it. My fellow Alaskans, this coming election is our only chance is to correct our course. Please don’t ruin it. Vote them out, vote all these corrupted politicians out before it’s too late.
are the only ones ordained to make this decision. And if the people did not like what she was doing they could vote her out. The fact that she and many other legislators do not trust such a weighty decision to the great unwashed masses of Alaskans should be a wake-up for us all. Now we hear that Mayor Berkowitz and the Alaska Municipal League think that cities and towns somehow also have a right to a portion of our PFD, money which belongs to Alaskans. They want to jump on the legislative stealthe-people’s-money bandwagon. We have only to look at his proposal, one that was soundly defeated during the Hickel years, to understand exactly why Alaskans should be the ones to control their money. The Militant Ring of Alaskans must be heard. We must go to every town hall meeting. We must flood legislators inboxes and mail boxes with emails expressing our displeasure with their actions and reminding them that they work for us. Call them. Call in to hearings and most importantly, VOTE. Vote “YES” to a constitutionally protected PFD. And vote for legislators who actually believe they work for us. In addition contact your local assemblyman. Tell him or her that you do not support the Alaska Municipal League’s grab for your PFD.
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FEBRUARY 2020 SCHEDULE Continue Writing Class Tuesday, February 4*, 3:00pm4:00pm De-Clutter – Free Living! Tuesday, February 11, 3:00pm4:00pm
Contributed by Linda Meyers-Steele Senior Education is a program for those 50+ years who want to keep active and continue lifelong learning. Classes are offered free (except for occasional supplies as needed). The fun part is there are no tests, no grades, no homework! Wasilla Senior Center, 1301 Century Circle, Wasilla, hosts the classes at no charge and all presenters are volunteers. Volunteers who are experts in their field! Please join us. No registration required unless noted in the class description. (senioreducationwasilla@gmail.com) JANUARY 2020 SCHEDULE
Have you ever thought of writing about memories of your family or even your own autobiography or about something that interests you, but you don’t know where to start? This is the class for you. A talented instructor, Tara Wreyford, will help you draw those thoughts out and put them to paper. Book Club “I Read What I Want To Read” (Note: Book Club will meet monthly every third Tuesday until May 2020.) ** Tuesday, January 21, 3:00pm-4:00pm Participants will be given an opportunity to share a summary of their book of interest with others.
A Series of Writing Classes Tuesday, January 14, 28, Feb. 4*, 3:00pm-4:00pm
Learn from others about books that might interest you. Facilitator: Andi Nations, Retired Public School Educator/Non-Profit Facilitator
Contributed by Jeanette Gardiner, Dalrymple Law, P.C.
“The need for legal services in the Valley has grown steadily over the past several years. While we and our clients enjoyed our colony-era office on Cobb Street, we quickly outgrew the space and it was too small to comfortably accommodate staff and clients.”
Dalrymple Law, P.C. recently relocated its offices to 353 South Denali Street in Palmer. The new location signifies the firm’s commitment to better serve the community with a more spacious, comfortable setting in which to grow client relationships. DanaLyn Dalrymple, founder and senior attorney of Dalrymple Law, said,
She further stated, “The new office is conveniently located next to the Palmer Courthouse, which allows attorneys and staff more time to focus on providing thorough and expeditious service to our clients.”
It’s silent. It’s sneaky. Suddenly, clutter is there! Clutter is all around us and is a growing problem. Let’s explore what clutter is, how it occurs, and emotions involved. Learn declutter techniques, downsize strategies, clutter buster ideas and paper clutter control. Facilitator: Julie Cascio, Home Economist, Cooperative Extension Service Book Club “I Read What I Want To Read” Tuesday, February 18**, 3:00pm-4:00pm Communicating For Better Listening & Talking Tuesday, Feb 25, 3:00pm-4:00pm Are people mumbling more often? Are you interrupting others by speaking when they are without realizing it? Are you frustrated by feeling you’re not being heard? Learn tips for listening and talking regardless of your hearing abilities. Facilitator: Dr. Joyce Sexton, Doctor of Audiology, Northern Hearing, Wasilla & Anchorage
While parking for clients is still somewhat limited to the street, Dalrymple plans to install a new parking area on the property this summer, along with other improvements. Dalrymple Law, P.C. is a full-service Valley law firm with a commitment to small town service and practical legal solutions. Organized in 2011 by DanaLyn, Dalrymple Law, P.C. has a diverse practice in the areas of business and corporate law, real estate law, wills and probate, and general civil practice.
COMMUNITY Contributed by Glenn Butts, The DUDE Bikers Fighting Hunger Food Drive began January 1st and goes until the end of February. This is a food drive that has been going on for the last 9 years now. set up to raise food for food banks in Matsu Valley. Originally started by a bunch of caring bikers, this food drive has grown exponentially with volunteers, from government officials to recovering drug and alcohol addicts, and everyone in-between. Business owners that give there time and services to help in the special events to the drive, to those in the media that put this drive out there for people to read and or see on TV to know where and how to donate, It is a combination of all this that keeps it going every year. All with one purpose to help others that need a hand-up in life throughout the Valley.
Contributed by Randi Perlman As the Mat-Su’s population continues to grow, new restaurants are popping up, trying to fill in the gaps and keep pace with the demand. While many of them fall into the fastfood and/or large franchise categories, one of them stands out as a locallyowned and operated, first-ofits-kind, ‘new kid on the block’, and it’s enjoying rave reviews while attracting a steadily growing and appreciative clientele. Café Khao Neow, nestled in Wasilla’s Creekside Plaza between Alaska Midnite Scents and The Alaska Club, is the home of delicious, authentic Laotian cuisine. Owned by young entrepreneur partners, Phong Say (Sy) and Pay Lin (Lin), Café Khao Neow opened in October 2019, serving up traditional homemade Lao family recipes. Their full menu includes staples such as Lao sausage, papaya salad, and chicken curry noodle soup, along with a complete selection of appetizers, salads, soups and entrees, along with rice and noodle dishes to round it all out. Opening a Laotian restaurant in the Valley
And this shows that there is hope in our community with so many of us that are willing to do something to better ourselves and our neighbors out of pure kindness. There are multiple dropsites for the food drive pick-ups and or donation jars too, at all four Three Bears Alaska grocery stores - Knik, Palmer, Wasilla-Pittman, Big Lake, Denali Harley Davidson, House of Yamaha, Performance Yamaha, Fishers Fuel, Body Piercing Unlimited, Subway, Spenard Builders Supply- Wasilla and Palmer, and Q99.7 KMBQ Valley Radio. There are more companies that donate to the drive as well, with items of food or supplies for the annual special events. So another thank you to Carrs, Fred Meyers, Walmart, Target, Kaladi Brothers, Tub-n-Tan House, Mat-Su Water, Extreme Fun Center of Wasilla, Coming Attractions Theater and Christian Motorcyclists Association's Midnight Son Riders Chapter 801.
has been a long-time dream of the young couple, so when the opportunity presented itself, they jumped on it. The décor is simple while comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, the aromas from the kitchen are heavenly, and there are a variety of sauces and spices on each of the nine tables so you can customize every dish to your liking. Lin creates culinary magic in the kitchen, while Sy greets guests with a friendly smile, helpful tips and explanations on any menu items you may have questions about, and presents the aromatic delicacies. Customer service is prompt, efficient and topnotch! It’s exciting to have more and more restaurant choices in the Mat-Su Valley to enjoy with family, friends and visitors, especially when they bring with them friendly faces, exotic, delightful flavors and a whole new cuisine to explore. Sample the traditional flavors of Laos at Café Khao Neow, which means “sticky rice, at 1830 E Parks Highway in the Creekside Plaza, Wasilla. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 8pm, closed on Monday. Call them at 376-5426, visit them at www.CafeKhaoNeow.com, or like them on Facebook.
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This year’s annual special events are as follows: Spaghetti Feed at the Alano Club, located at 901 Snowhomish Drive. Starting Sunday, February 23rd, from 2pm until done, usually 5pm. Entry fee is 12 cans of food, or $12; children (12 and under) free. Tires for Tacos at Denali Harley Davidson on Saturday, February 15th, from 12pm to 4pm. Entry fee is also 12 cans of food or $12. Both events raise so much every year and are the big reason this drive works. There will be door prizes at each event too. So come down to one or both and have some great food, good times and great company while showing support for your community. Thank you again and God bless. Sincerely, Glen Butts, The DUDE