Alaska Scottish Highland Games
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Nashville’s Hope Cassity Tours Alaska
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Art on Fire Art Fest Returns June 25
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Palmer Garden & Art Faire June 9
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The Deaf & The Musician in Alaska
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MUSIC > BEER GARDEN > VENDORS > FOOD TRUCKS > FREE
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coloring pages of 12 Alaska backyard birds. Kids ages 6-12 years of age will look for and find at least 7 of 12 birds to check off when they see them. Each child will be given a personalized Certificate of Achievement and Backyard Birding Challenge pin on completion. But wait, there’s more! Kids who sign-up will also be given a Raffle Ticket to enter to win National Geographic’s Bird Guide of North America book, and a National Geographic’s Backyard Safari Kit which includes a safari vest, hat, kids binoculars, magnifying glass, field guide and stickers) and National Geographic Bird Guide of North America. Contributed by Kiki Kellar The turn-A-leaf Thrift Store Backyard Birding Challenge starts June 6 and ends on August 14, 2022 Hey kids! We have a fun outdoor activity for you this summer! Our turn-A-leaf Thrift Store Backyard
Birding Challenge. Kids, come into turn-A-leaf Thrift store (in-person) to sign-up for the challenge to receive a goody-bag that has a birding journal, and pair of “pretend” binoculars inside (limit 1 per in-person child). The activity journal has photos, identification information, and
by rowboats, freighters, and sailing ships. Contributed by Helen Hegener Only a River… Visible from most higher areas of the Valley, Knik Arm is the northernmost branch of Cook Inlet, a great body of water which stretches 180 miles north from the Gulf of Alaska and splits at Anchorage into Knik Arm and the more southern Turnagain Arm. The 25-mile long Knik River, which gives the Arm its name, begins under the Knik Glacier. The word derives from the Inupiaq word igniq, meaning fire; the Denaina term for the river was Skitnu, which means brush river. The Matanuska, Eklutna, and Eagle rivers also drain into Knik Arm, and Wasilla Creek, Peters Creek, and Fish Creek are also major tributaries. William Bligh, who served as Captain Cook’s Sailing Master on his third and final voyage to Alaska in 1778, thought that both Knik Arm and Turnagain Arm were the mouths of rivers and not the opening to the long-sought Northwest Passage. To be certain, under Cook’s orders, Bligh organized a party to travel up Knik Arm, and they returned to report that Knik Arm indeed led only to a river. Boats of any kind are a rare sight on the silty, churning, tide-wrenched waters Knik Arm today, but in times long past the Arm was traversed
Knik Arm, looking northeast from Point Mackenzie. [Helen Hegener/NLM]
“Seward’s Success,’ visionary city from Popular Science, March, 1970
George Palmer, a merchant who owned stores in Knik and near the later site of Palmer, frequently crossed Knik Arm, as cited by Valley historian Colleen Miekle: “Palmer’s first schooner, the two masted ‘C. T. Hill,’ arrived at Knik Harbor June 7, 1913. Leaving his store in the hands of a clerk, Palmer and crew sailed the schooner from Goose Bay to San Francisco two or three times a summer and brought back merchandise for his store.” And: “In the spring of 1915, Palmer traveled to Seward by dog sled, where he boarded a steamer to San Francisco to purchase a newer schooner named ‘The Lucy.’ Palmer and ‘The Lucy’ arrived at Goose Bay on May 3, 1915.” George Palmer reportedly made routine trips from Knik to points on the Kenai Peninsula and along the western shore of Cook Inlet. A few others, including the Father of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Joe Redington Sr., have likewise plied the turbulent waters of Knik Arm. Joe’s boat, the famed ‘Nomad,’ once ferried Joe and his family, his sled dogs, and tons of building supplies, machinery, and other freight between Knik and Joe’s homestead at Flathorn Lake. The historic little craft now sits peacefully in the marshland at Knik, having recently enjoyed a restoration by local carpenters and friends of the boat. The more recent history of Knik Arm is no less fascinating than its past. After the discovery of oil reserves at Prudhoe Bay in January 1968, a concept for a futuristic city on the west side of Knik Arm was advanced, a planned mega-community of 40,000 residents, with residential, office, recreational and commercial spaces all fitting snugly under a fully enclosed dome at Point MacKenzie.
We’ll draw the winners name on the 15th and announce it in-store and on our turn-A-leaf Thrift Store’s Facebook page. Goody-bag quantities are limited and will only be given out to kids who personally come in-person to sign up.
Named ‘Seward’s Success,’ features such as climate control, moving sidewalks, a rapid-transit train and an aerial tramway to Anchorage were part of the plan for a car-free community, as detailed in an article, “An Entire City Under Glass,” in the March, 1970 issue of Popular Science. The fate of the city was told in the title to Peter Porco’s November 3, 2002 article for the Anchorage Daily News: ““City of tomorrow a failed dream of yesterday - Thinking big: Domed suburb across Knik Arm was planned in detail.” More recent plans include the longdiscussed, relentlessly controversial Knik Arm Crossing from Anchorage to Point MacKenzie. First envisioned in 1923 by Alaska Railroad engineers looking for a more efficient route to Alaska’s interior, the Alaska Legislature created the Knik Arm Bridge And Toll Authority (KABATA) in 2003, to develop a method of construction, financing, design, operation and maintenance of the bridge. In 2018, the Alaska Legislature included funding to restart the project, but the funding was vetoed by Governor Walker, and without funding, the project is effectively dormant for the foreseeable future. What is not dormant, but vibrant and active, is the port at Point MacKenzie, which moves heavy industrial and bulk materials through Alaska and beyond with a barge dock, a deep draft dock, a 7,000 square foot terminal building, and a rail link to the main line of the Alaska Railroad. From the Port MacKenzie website: “We specialize in bulk commodities such as gravel, coal, wood chips, cement, etc. However, we have also shipped modular homes, oil field modules for the North Slope, logs, and heavy equipment. Most of our exports have gone to the North Slope, South Korea, Japan, and China.”
Boats at waterfront of village of Knik, Alaska, June 1914. By James Lennox McPherson, a civil engineer for the Alaska Railroad Commission expedition. The A.E.C. had assigned McPherson to research the feasibility of building a branch railroad from Anchorage west to the mining districts on the Kuskokwim and Iditarod Rivers. [Wikimedia Commons]
COMMUNITY Contributed by Marlene Munsell Contact: Marlene Munsell Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. marlenem@alaskaseniors.com 907-206-8795 Wasilla – Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. On Saturday, June 25th, you can Run, Walk or Roll at your own pace and join others at 1301 S. Century Circle, Wasilla. This is a fantastic time to gather your family and support seniors. If you prefer, you can race when you want; anytime between June 1 and June 25 counts! Just register now, and then let us know when you complete the race. Make a video, take a selfie, or stop by the Wasilla Senior Center and we’ll take your picture taken under our “Finish Line” banner. Registration is $25; register online or at wasillaseniors.com.
Wheels is our largest fundraising event of the year. We have added an online auction that begins June 1th and ends on June 17th. This is a fun way to participate from the comfort of your own phone and helps us make a difference; register at wasillaseniors.com. Meals on Wheels it is not just about providing a meal; our visit brings hope, it brings health, it brings nutrition, and we love it when we can make a senior’s day! This is one of the comments we hear often: “Thanks to my driver and staff, it’s nice to see a friendly person who shows concern for me. I am a senior and a shut in
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and besides the much-appreciated meals, I enjoy a friendly face. Sometimes I don’t see visitors for days. Mat-Su Meals on Wheels is on track to deliver over 130,000 meals to seniors here in the Mat-Su this year. Help us make their day and be a part of this event: run, walk or roll, sponsor a runner, be a business sponsor or donate. For any information or questions, please call or email Marlene at 907-206-8795 or marlenem@ alaskaseniors.com. You can also check our website at wasillaseniors. com or Facebook page. See you on the 25th!
The Miles for Meals 5K fundraising event began in 1980 and continues today as a way to connect mission to community and fundraise for an amazing cause. Miles for Meals on
pipes and a driving percussion that delivers a commanding performance. The band has received an award for best international artists, produced its own theater show called Celtic Crossroads, has performed as a guest artist with the Air Force Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC and had has music featured in the 2011 film “Kill the Irishman.”. They won 1st place in the original StrangfordLough Celtic Battle of the Bands. Members of the band have competed all over North America and Scotland. The Rogues have produced 11 albums and 2 DVDs to date. The band even has its own tartan in the Scottish Register of Tartans. That Tartan is the background for the website! Contributed by Jeni McDaniel The Alaskan Scottish Club will host the 41st annual Scottish Highland Games held June 25th & 26th at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer. Gates open daily at 8am. Throughout the day, athletes will compete in many events that include the caber toss, stone throw, weight over bar, challenge stone, the grueling Farmer’s walk, and sheaf toss (28# bale of hay is thrown for height). All are sure to be crowd pleasers. As in most years, many of the athletes will break event records during the Games in their classes.
food, music, 4 scotch tastings and 2 Mead tastings (buy early-the tickets sell out fast), Tall Tales, Gathering of the Clans in the Celtic Village, relaxing in the tea tent, and many other fun activities. And of course, cheer on your favorite team during the Tug ‘O War and take pictures with the Highland Coo. Come early and stay all day long! Admission into the Games includes special musical concert performances throughout both days by “Harp Twins with special guests The Volfgang Twins,” “The Rogues with EJ Jones of The Piper Jones Band” and Juneau’s own “Fire On McGinnis.”
Guests attending the Games will also enjoy shopping with over 120 vendors with unique merchandise,
Founded in Houston in 1994, The Rogues created a new genre of Celtic music with exceptionally well-played
The article titled “Palmer Soccer Club: A Continuing Legacy”, from the May 2022 edition, was printed with the
wrong contributor name. This article was contributed by Kathy Logan, not Travis Sherrer.
Identical twin harpists, Camille and Kennerly Kitt, mix their virtuoso harp skills with the use of Electric Harps and Concert Grand Harps to provide stunning complex arrangements of rock, metal, Celtic, Renaissance, and soundtrack classics – as well as Celtic Nordic inspired original songs. They have represented the United States at four World Harp Festivals, toured worldwide as a duo and was featured guests on the 2020 nationwide PBS special, Celtic Heart. The Harp twins deliver exciting, comedic, and interactive family-friendly performances that will not be forgotten. With a frothy blend of Irish and Celtic music spiked with modern rock, Fire On McGinnis can only be described CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Visit tinyurl.com/palmersoccerclub to read the corrected article. Sorry for any inconvenience with the mix-up.
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Cooking Demos Hosted by Chef Gary Maclean: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 as a head-banging, bagpipe playing live celebration! Fire on McGinnis is influenced by bands like The Dropkick Murphy’s, Flogging Molly, The Pogues and the Young Dubliners. They take songs steeped in Irish and Scottish tradition such as “Bedlam Boys,” “Foggy Dew,” and “Paddy’s Leather Breeches” and turn them into floor-bouncing rock songs. For a lively twist, Fire on McGinnis plays whiskey-spiked versions of modern rock songs by Led Zeppelin, The Cranberries, Chumbawumba, The Proclaimers and of course, a shot of their own Celtic inspired songs. While the band likes to keeps things hot with smoking fiddle and bagpipe tunes, the real aim is to have a good time and get the audience on their feet! TICKETING PARKING IS FREE AT THE RED GATE! Advanced tickets* may be purchased online at alaskanscottish.org, or inperson at Fireside Books in Palmer, The Bookshelf in Eagle River, and both Bosco’s location in Anchorage for single, both days. Family Pack Tickets (2 adult, 2 youth) Both days: $40 Single day: $30 Single Tickets – Both Days Adults: $20 ($25 at the event) Youth (5-16): $10 Single Tickets – One Day Adults: $13 ($15 at the event) Youth (5-16): $5 *Prices do not include online convenience charge. Daily updates can be found on High-
Contributed by Clayton Allison Epoxy flooring is a great solution for residential and commercial applications where a beautiful finish and tough surface are desired. However, excess moisture can cause problems with even the strongest of substances – and epoxy is no exception. Even though your concrete may look dry on the surface, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is dry throughout. It’s important to understand how to properly deal with that moisture. What is Moisture Vapor Transmission (MVT)? Concrete is porous by nature and, even though the moisture near the surface of the concrete evaporates as it cures, moisture from below the surface will migrate up through pores, to escape through the path of least resistance. This process is referred to as MVT. This water vapor then breaks down flooring coating systems. Flooring failures due to MVT costs the construction industry and facility owners billions of dollars each year. MVT problems attack impervious and permeable flooring materials including wood, vinyl, tile, urethane, epoxy, and carpet. The result is disbondment, blistering, pinholes, chipping and pitting, adhesive reversion, cracking, and heaving. If left untreated, it can intro-
land Games’ Facebook page at: www. facebook.com/ALASKASHG/ The Alaskan Scottish Club is excited to be welcoming, National Chef of Scotland and BBC MasterChef: the Professionals Winner, Chef Gary MacLean to the Alaska Scottish Highland Games this year! He will be presenting some amazing cooking demonstrations at the games and also hosting the 2022 ASHG Kick-Off Banquet at Settler’s Bay Lodge. Born in Glasgow, 47-year-old multiaward winning chef Gary Maclean spent his early career was working in hotels where he learned a number of key skills. At the age of 30, he opened his own restaurant in Glasgow and as head chef challenged himself to regularly create new and exciting menus for his customers. From there, he went on to run the kitchens at Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art and the Burrell Collection. Gary has held executive chef positions at two of Scotland’s biggest independent operators and his current role as Senior Lecturer at City of Glasgow College is what really drives his passion for mentoring other young chefs and creative cooking. In December 2016, he was crowned MasterChef, the Professionals Champion 2016, after taking on 47 other professional chefs in the pursuit of gastronomic glory. He battled through seven weeks of fierce competition on our TV screens and extra-ordinary cooking in the culinary challenges. T here was only one king of the kitchen, and he touched the hearts and passions of the UK TV audience. Interested in learning more about Chef MacLean? www.garymacchef.com/
duce health concerns associated with Sick Building Syndrome – by aiding the growth of algae, bacteria, mildew, and mold, as well as inducing rot. Although it may seem as if moisture issues only occur within newly poured concrete, older concrete slabs can also require moisture mitigation. If the concrete was not allowed to cure properly when it was originally poured, too much water was in the mix, or the vapor retardant that was placed underneath the concrete was faulty, a major moisture problem could be hidden within the concrete. For this reason, moisture tests should always be performed prior to the application of any coating system. What is Moisture Testing or Calcium Chloride Testing? Professionals can administer several tests to determine the moisture levels in your slab before installing an epoxy floor coating. The Calcium Chloride Test, Plastic Sheet Test, and RH tests are the most common, with the Calcium Chloride Test being the most popular. It is critical that you choose a seasoned professional to administer these tests to ensure that proper steps are taken. The Calcium Chloride Test is one of the most well-known tests that measures the moisture vapor levels in a concrete slab. It is the standard test used by
Chef Gary Maclean has 3 very special and unique cooking demonstrations planned for the ASHG this year! The first is “Gary Maclean’s Scottish Kitchen Cookery Book Live.” During this demo he will be preparing, Glasgow Macaroon, Ayrshire Shortbread, and Cranachan. Our mouths are watering thinking about these tasty treats! This Demo will be offered on Saturday at 11am and Sunday at 1:30pm. The second cooking demonstration Chef Gary Maclean will be hosting at the ASHG this year is called “A Taste of Outlander” and features Haggis and potato hash with perfect poached eggs, Brandan Rost homemade hot smoked salmon, and Hot smoked salmon salad. Just in time for fishing season, the demo will teach you a new way to cook your summer catch! This demo will be offered on Saturday at 1:30pm and Sunday at 4pm. The third cooking demo that Chef Gary Maclean will be hosting this year is sure to be a favorite among Alaskans! “William Wallace Country a celebration of food and produce from central Scotland” will feature Pan-Fired king scallops with black pudding and potato, Steamed Mussels, and Tattie Scones. This demo will be offered on Saturday at 4pm and Sunday at 11am. Register now for the demos, as seating is limited! www.alaskanscottish.regfox. com/2022ashgcookingdemos 2022 ASHG Kick-Off Banquet On Friday Night, June 24th, the Alaskan Scottish Club will be taking over Settlers Bay Lodge in Wasilla for a magnificent evening of world-class Scottish food, fun, and music. We will be presenting a Games Kick-Off Banquet and Fundraiser
the majority of flooring contractors in the United States. The calcium chloride moisture vapor emission test was developed in the 1950s to quantify the volume of water vapor emitting from a 1,000-square-foot area of concrete slab surface over 24 hours. This testing helps you determine if you need a moisture vapor barrier. Per ASTM F1869, test density is required to equal 3 tests in the first 1,000 square feet, with one additional test for each additional 1,000 square feet of the concrete slab surface. Proactively testing the concrete prior to the installation of flooring may prevent the considerable losses attributed to excessive moisture vapor emission and related floor covering system failure. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) states that Moisture Vapor Transmission Rates (MVTR) of four pounds per 1000 square feet over a 24-hour period is the maximum rate allowable to successfully cover concrete with adhesives, sealers, or coatings. MVTR can be determined by comparing the weight of the calcium chloride in the test before and after the test time (60 to 72 hours), it indicates not just whether moisture is present, but the quantity and MVTR traveling upwards through the slab. How do the Professionals Deal with MVT? Not all coatings for concrete offer the protection that you need to fight MVT-
for the Alaska Scottish Highland Games. The evening will be hosted by National Chef of Scotland, Chef Gary MacLean, who will have a significant role in the creation of a delicious Scottish meal with the help of the talented chefs at Settler’s Bay. Those, in attendance for the evening, will be serenaded by very special music guests, the Harp Twins. Get ready to get up and dance to the tunes of The Rogues featuring EJ Jones of the Piper Jones Band. There will be some fabulous silent auction items and great door prizes. The setting for the evening will be the scenic views of Settler’s Bay. Seating for the evening is limited. The cost is $150 per person and includes dinner at Settler’s Bay, a shot of Scotch for the end of evening toast, entry for the door prize. Tickets are available on our ticketing site: www.alaskanscottish.ticketspice. com/2022ashgtickets
related damage. In DIY epoxy flooring installation projects, refer to your product data sheets to learn the MVTR that each specific product can handle. The suggested test methods and limits from product manufacturers should be adhered to for the best outcomes. In most situations, the professionals tackle moisture problems in concrete floors by using a moisture vapor barrier primer. The moisture vapor barrier helps reduce the passage of fluids through concrete. It successfully relieves the problems associated with moisture vapor in a concrete slab, keeping moisture from reaching the epoxy flooring system. The thickness of the primer used is based on the amount of moisture present in the concrete. The good news is that newer floor coating products and proper installation techniques will reduce or eliminate water vapor transmission problems. Concrete failures can happen due to high moisture levels at any time, especially in areas like Alaska. Unfortunately, not everyone is experienced or has the proper equipment to test their concrete. At GH Alaska, LLC, we test concrete for moisture in accordance with ASTM F1869 (using Calcium Chloride Testing). To get the job done right, call our team of experts at 907-414-4941.
COMMUNITY Contributed by Doug Ferguson Continuing this series of Great Americans, where some are famous and others you haven’t heard of. These are Americans that I and many others have been influenced by in our lives, and this month I am featuring my old high school band director, Richard Bame. For my first two years of high school I was a member of the mixed chorus. However,other kids in the band really liked it and spoke highly of their upbeat and energetic director, Mr. Bame. So at the end of my sophomore year I went in to talk to him about possibly being a member, despite the fact I didn’t play any instrument! I will always remember the moment he said, “See those four Sousaphones up there?” (mounted in their concert chairs at the top of rehearsal hall) “Would you like to play one of those?” I said, “I guess. Sure, but how do I start?” He then told me he had played the Sousaphone (A large tuba designed by John Phillips Sousa for marching) in the Ohio State Marching Band and that he would give me lessons over the summer if I decided to switch to the band. However, this would only be on condition that I attend the “Band Camp” he held every year the week before school started on the shores of Lake Erie. In this camp, the very first of its kind in Ohio that he had started several years before, the band worked out its entire routine for its inaugural
Contributed by Misty D Murphy “I have full coverage!” Um no, you probably don’t and it’s time to re-evaluate your policy and possibly your Agent if they are using the term ‘Full Coverage’. The term full coverage implies that the insurance company will cover the entire cost of all losses, regardless of the type of damage or how the loss occurred. In reality a policy includes a collection of coverages choses from a wide variety of options, tailored to each insureds specific needs. Full coverage is just a myth. There is no full coverage, but there is adequate. Let me explain further. Each state has financial responsibility laws that requires every driver to have insurance that provides liability coverage for damages the driver may cause. Each state sets a state minimum.
performance on Labor Day at the big Canfield Ohio Fair outside of the city of Youngstown just before school started. I talked it over with my parents and the deal was done! I took lessons at the school that summer with him and attended the Lake Erie band camp, thus starting two wonderful years with the band and Mr. Bame! Mr. Bame was only the second director of instrumental music at Boardman High School in Boardman Ohio, the first director having been hired in 1926 when Boardman was just a small farm township south of Youngstown, Ohio. Bame took over in 1948 after graduating from Ohio State University after he got out of the service after WWII. By that time Boardman was well on it’s way to being a growing post-war suburb of Youngstown. He had served in General George Patton’s 7th Infantry Division and then later played bass in the Army Air Force Band. At Ohio State he played Sousaphone in the famous Ohio State Marching Band where he was given the honor of “dotting the I” in their well known “Script Ohio” formation that the band still features today. Besides patterning our band’s appearance and style after the Ohio State Marching Band with it’s contrasting cross-belt uniforms and white spats that emphasized the high stepping marching style the band employed, Mr. Bame introduced orchestral string music at the high school level for the first time in Ohio
In Alaska, for example, minimum coverage requires only Bodily Injury limits of $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for Property Damage. Let’s take a look at some other coverages that are heavily suggested in the industry for a personal auto policy: Medical Payments: This is considered a ‘no-fault’ insurance coverage of an auto policy that covers healthcare expenses associated with an accident to injured parties including policy holders and passengers. Fun fact many health care policies do not cover injuries resulting from an auto accident. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists: This coverage pays for your injuries and losses and those of your passengers when the at-fault driver has no or has insufficient coverage for the amount of damages that is caused. Uninsured
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my senior year. Today Boardman is considered to have the best full orchestra program of any high school in Ohio with several ensembles at different skill levels. Taking a tour of the band room during our 2005 class reunion, we were impressed with the scope of musical opportunities the program provided for any level of student. He ended up being the band, choral and orchestra director at Boardman 24 years as well as being a school guidance counselor for 10 years and was a private Tuba and Bass instructor before he passed away in 2000. He also played Bass in the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and later played with the Bob Furney Show Band. He also was quite a character! One of his favorite words was “Frantic”! “We’re going to have a Frantic time at Band Camp!’ or “That performance was Frantic!” His favorite saying as we left for the end-of-the-year holidays was, “Have a Cool Yule and a Frantic First!” There are also many humorous stories surrounding his foiling attempts to play camp tricks on him during Band Camp! However, his main outstanding gift was to the students themselves with his outgoing, positive and often humorous approach to musical learning excellence. He encouraged, coached and supported many a “geeky”, untrained-in-music teenager like myself to what turned out to be a life long journey with music that we otherwise would not have had. In fact several of
motorist is one of the most important coverages you can have in Alaska with an estimated average of 15% of drivers not having car insurance on the road. Collision: Coverage that pays to repair or replace your car when it is damaged by a collision with another automobile, or in a single vehicle accident. If you can’t go buy a car with cash to replace the one you are driving, add collision with a deductible you can afford. Comprehensive: Coverage that pays to repair or replace your covered vehicle that is stolen or damaged by fire, theft, vandalism or animals on road way – you know the MOOSE! Window needs replaced? Check the comprehensive coverage and deductible. You might be surprised what $0 deductible does to your bottom line premium. Other notable coverages to look into: Gap Insurance, ACV vs RC, Towing, Storage, Car Rental, Road Side Assistance, Ride Share, or an Umbrella. Also de-
his students ended up being music teachers themselves following the example he set. One of them even came back to teach at Boardman! Subsequent directors have taken his musical legacy to even higher levels, but to me it was not only his pioneering effort in developing instrumental music education in Ohio, but it was his dedication to each individual student who had an interest in music, regardless of their background, that brands him as a Great American that I was fortunate to have in my life when such a person could do what they did and be appreciated for it! Doug Ferguson is a retired engineer living in Palmer, AK who has had a life long interest in science, American history, human behavior and music!
pending on who the carrier is, they can have carrier specific coverages such as a Window Replacement policy. Talk with Each carrier about your risk and see what fits your specific needs the best. I ask each of YOU when was the last time you had a conversation or review with your insurance agent? Do you know your coverage, your gaps, and what your expectation of the insurance contract is? Do you know who to call when you have a claim? Do you know what your first step should be if you have a claim? Take it from me – a girl that got into insurance because I had too many declined or negative experienced claims, so I quit my bank job to get licensed and learn: Don’t buy insurance based on price. Instead, look at the coverage and buy based on the protection you need. The Matanuska Valley has many wonderful insurance agents/brokers to choose from. Interview several when making a decision to find the best fit.
COMMUNITY feel the way we do or that the person saying them is being dismissive of us. While this might be the case, we might benefit from asking ourselves a few important questions to rule out our own attitude and behavior.
Contributed by Jason Goldsmith One of the worst things we can do to ourselves is take something too personally. Many of us often feel the need to defend ourselves from threats when we feel we, a loved one, or our beliefs are being attacked in some way. We may hear others telling us “Don’t let it get under your skin.”, “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”, or “Why can’t you just let it go?”. It might be we take these comments as an accusation of being oversensitive, not having the right to
Contributed by John Rozzi As I mentioned in my last article, when we hear the word homeless many of us automatically picture a person that panhandles, pushes a shopping cart and lives in a tent. Although true, most chronically homeless make up a small portion of the homeless population. However, when we breakdown the different stages of homelessness the people that live in tents are 100% literally or chronically homeless. This is the population we’re all trying to save. Whether they see it that way is another matter. The Chronically Homeless population meets HUDs definition of “An individual or family living in a public or private place not meant for human habitation; which can include living in shelters too”. Did you know that five years ago HUD considered a dry cabin as “a place not meant for human habitation”? But, in Alaska a dry cabin is considered stable housing. Fortunately, they’ve altered that designation. The homeless populations which you may never notice fall into one of the following categories of homelessness. A person/family at imminent risk of losing their primary night-time residence.
A first step to what we like to call ‘Healthy Boundaries’ is asking ourselves if this person or situation is more valuable. It may be that we were punished in the past for feeling pride in ourselves or knew someone who was too prideful or self-centered. Whichever the case, and it need not be restricted to these two, we may lack the healthy feeling of pride in ourselves in favor of the opinion of another individual or group. A second step may be to ask ourselves if the person or situation made us feel afraid or ashamed and we don’t like feeling that way so we become defensive or angry. Refusing to acknowledge our own negative feelings can often a
A person/family fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions. Individual/Family at imminent risk of Homelessness. You see a lot of missions focused on ending homelessness. The percentages of completing this goal are high when the individuals or families fall into situations that are preventable or involve rare occurrences. For example, A. Challenge: the population of people living paycheck to paycheck; couch surfing, living with friends or family have a better chance to avoid homelessness. B. Some Solutions: people living paycheck to paycheck who are able and willing can find a job that pays more or contributed more hours; an additional income contributor to the household can help dramatically. The times of a one income family are gone. A. Challenge: although, couch surfing is not clearly recognized by HUD as a homeless situation it does fit the McKinney-Vento Act definition of being homeless; “A person that does not have reliable secure night-time residence”. These individuals are always at risk of being homeless. Included in this scenario are individuals or families
MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA
poor response. Try validating your feelings and find their origins. A third step is asking ourselves if we are a chronic worrier. A simple comment or situation we experience could validate our worry over making a mistake which will add to the stress of our worry. Rather than seek change outside ourselves, looking in to reduce our worry may yield far more positive results in improving our lives. Sometimes we have a tendency to think rigidly about our personal beliefs and react negatively when they are questioned or not followed by others. It can be a valuable skill to consider differing perspectives and new explanations rather than enforce yours upon others. In the end, we may find ourselves with the realization: IT IS THEM! Generating healthy boundaries for ourselves works both ways. Not only does it give us the
staying with a friend or family member. B. Some Solutions: save money to prepare for the departure while staying with family or friends. Staying with friends or family for up to two weeks may seem like a vacation. Anything after that can wear on your hosts. So, prepare to save. Another option is to combine saving and see if the individual or family qualifies for housing assistance from the Housing Assistance grant Programs. Individuals fleeing a dangerous or lifethreatening situation. In the Mat-Su, we have a 32 bed Domestic Violence facility for women and children. Unfortunately, it’s full the majority of the year. A Challenge: did you know that men find themselves fleeing dangerous or life threating situations too? However, there is no facility, that I know about, that can house them. So, a question; “Where are they being housed”? B. Possible Solutions: they might stay with family or friends, Knik House or in a tent somewhere. Additionally, regardless of who is fleeing if they can save money while not paying for housing they can prepare themselves for finding another place to live. If they are eligible, they may also get financial assistance with being rehoused by the Housing Assistance Grant Programs. Contact
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opportunity to look within for solutions to the things we take personally, it allows us to look outside ourselves and judge more accurately what our response should be in any given situation. Falling into the mood swing of an outside influence is giving it power over us. It may be time to question what and who we expose ourselves to and walking away. Healthy boundaries are hard to create, harder to enforce but terribly hurtful to live without. Be your own best advocate. Ask for what you want and need with “I” statements. “I don’t like this.” Here at HOW we would like to make ourselves available to you in answering some of the questions and concerns. Please contact us and we will reply in the next edition while keeping you anonymous. We look forward to hearing from you. www.hatsofwisdom.com/ www.instagram.com/hats_of_wisdom907/
VCI, Adam at 907-354-4660 to see if you qualify for the programs. Housing Assistance costs vary drastically: We have seen several thousands of households (comprised of individuals or more than two people) approach our grant group for housing funding assistance. The financial boost or gap funding makes a huge difference in their lives and is much more cost effective when preventing homelessness rather than putting someone into housing when deposit and rent are required. “It costs up to five times more to fund the first month’s rent and deposit, rather than providing a small amount to prevent them from becoming homeless and having to start all over”. What’s next? What’s your perception of homelessness? What do you think are the main reasons individuals or families become homeless? Are shelters the answer for preventing Homelessness? I’ll be addressing these questions in the future. But, please feel free to weigh in and give your opinion on the homeless challenges and solutions we have in the Mat-Su Valley.
MUSIC > BEER GARDEN > VENDORS > FOOD TRUCKS > FREE
POLITICS & OPINION Contributed by Mayor Edna DeVries The Mat Su Borough’s budget for Fiscal Year 2023 was adopted by the assembly on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. The assembly lower the mill levy from proposed budget of 9.3 to 8.9 – lowest mill levy since 1989. Even with the increase in evaluation increases on property assessment, your tax bills should not increase more than 2 to 3%. ‘Our Ship Has Come In” at the MatSu Port. Hopefully, you seen the TV coverage of the Ship “Wisdom” docking and unloading recently or maybe the awesome dome footage from our
Contributed by Bruck Clift
The White Alice sites were established in the late 1950s in Alaska by the Air Force for communication with early warning systems during the Cold War. They were operational until the late 1970’s, about the time my parents moved to Alaska. However, many were not demolished, dismantled or cleaned up in any way until the 1990s or later, potentially other affecting the health of the local populaThe tions. This is about the White Alice site in Aniak Alaska, where I’m from.
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The Division of Spill Prevention and Response lists the site as Aniak White Alice Communications Site or Aniak WACS. The address listed may be surprising as it is the Aniak Middle School. As the WACS, it was operational from 1955 until 1979. The contaminants still of concern are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and petroleum products. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) and the Air Force did a cleanup of the PCBs from 1979-1981. The land became property of the State of Alaska at this time. The site would then be used by the Kuspuk School district to house teachers and students, to conduct official business
Public Affairs Director Stefan Hinman and assistant Jennifer Dawkins. We just got word that a smaller ship will be coming in June 20. Our Port Director is doing a great job increasing our income and reducing our expenses. Coming up in July will be the Mat Su Borough’s special election on July 12, 2022. All precincts in the borough will be voting. Adoption of the new re-districting lines for school board members and assembly members, 3 propositions – one for lifetime limitation for the mayor to serve two – three year terms (current
and have parties. I remember an annual thanksgiving event for the school district staff and their families that was always held there. It was the vocational education (Voc-Ed) center for the high school and then became the middle school. My entire generation went to school there. Many of us lived near there and played there. The housing project and Teachers’ Road were within a mile of the property. In 1994, ADEC became aware of the possibility of persistent contamination. In 1996 and 1997, high levels of PCBs were documented to persist in the soil surrounding the middle school. The Corps of Engineers cleaned the inside of the building and covered the contaminated soil in 1998. There are expected to be persistent contaminants to this day. The health effects of PCBs seem to have a latency period. They persist in soils and on surfaces and can travel far distances depending on molecular mass so exposure can take place over long periods of time. They can be carried in bodies of water and on the breeze. They also bioaccumulate and persist for many months to years in tissues (fat)
MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA
limitation), same for the assembly and increase the property exemption for seniors and disable vets from $218,000 to $264,000. Around the 20th of June, you will be getting a pamphlet in the mail. As always, you can reach out to me (907-861-8682) or Clerk’s office (907861-8683) with questions. Thanks to an outstanding job by our EMS, Fire and Rescue staff and volunteers, we had a very safe Memorial Day Weekend. They were very busy with structure fires and services but no loss of life and no forest fires. Thanks to all of you also, that have been following the restrictions regarding fires. Our valley is too beautiful to be lost to careless, unattended fires. On Monday,
where they are bioactive and liver toxic. PCBs can disrupt genes; the endocrine, immune and nervous systems. They have been labeled probable carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency as have they been implicated in hormonal, neurologic, skin and gastrointestinal cancers in humans. They may also cause developmental or neurocognitive effects in the offspring of those exposed. Exposure is often through direct contact, inhalation, or consumption of water or meat in which it has bioaccumulated (fish). PCBs can be found in breast milk. PCBs may affect steroidogenesis by the adrenocortex and lead to endocrine tumors, diabetes, or thyroid dysfunction. This is of interest to me as my older brother has a rare cancer-adrenocortical carcinoma. He also developed type 2 diabetes at a fairly young age. He lived at the Aniak Voc-Ed center as a fetus/infant, was born in 1980 after my parents moved to Aniak in 1979. They drank the water and used the facilities of the building; unaware it was contaminated. The family moved after several months, but our property was not a mile away when I was born. We played around
ht of
tion.
Contributed by Bill Walker & Heidi Drygas
With the opportunities Alaska holds, n’t be our possibilities are literally endless. It’s time to unleash Alaska’s full potential again and that’s why, as two lifelong and Alaskans, we are running for governor nvert and lieutenant governor. and free Bill Walker served as Alaska’s 11th Govhis is ernor (2014-2018) as an Independent y all and Heidi Drygas served as Alaska’s Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development during Governor Walker’s o the term. Bill, a former Republican, and 0955. Heidi, a former Democrat, are running ions, as Independents, without party labels. your The Walker/Drygas team will work for Share all Alaskans and with leaders across orite the political spectrum as we strive to tand, rebuild Alaska. you, ensee A Strong Economy. This is the number seful one concern of Alaskans as shown in every poll and in all of our conversations around the state. Alaskans want to feel confident in our future. But in recent years more people are moving out than moving in, and a sense of uncertainty has many Alaskans nervous. We are challenged by high costs, especially for energy and health care; a shortage of housing and child care; and a lack of economic diversification. Most of all, we are stymied by seesawing state revenue – which means unpredictable impacts on local taxes, education funding, school debt reimbursement,
ferry schedules and more. Fortunately, we have the tools to rebuild our economy. We have abundant natural resources; and we have rich and varied resources valued by the economy of the future – such as clean air, clean water, and renewable energy resources. And we have an $80 billion nest egg: our Permanent Fund, which can help bring the fiscal stability we need to thrive. Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. Thanks to the hard work of our Congressional delegation, we have a transformational opportunity to invest billions of dollars to improve infrastructure across Alaska. Eligibility for many of the funds requires action on the state’s part. Our administration will fight for every dollar we can to improve Alaska— from ports to ferries to airports to roads to energy systems. We must not let this once-ina-lifetime chance pass us by because of the dictates of partisan politics. This is not blue money or red money, by the time it gets to Alaska, it’s all green, and the late great Senator Ted Stevens made no apologies for bringing every green federal dollar possible to Alaska. Fiscal plan. We will build a durable, honest, and balanced fiscal plan. Alaska has hitched itself to a rollercoaster ride of rising and falling oil prices. This makes it hard to plan. Sometimes promises are broken – the state went back on its promise to repay school construction debt, for example, forcing unantici-
pated costs onto local communities. Sudden windfalls can be problematic too: projects get funded without proper vetting, or programs are launched that can’t be sustained.
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all 10 of our ambulances were on the road. To keep up-to-date on Assembly agenda items or actions taken by the assembly, watch for my podcast on the Mat-Su Borough Facebook page. I am also starting a new one to report on upcoming agenda items for the borough assembly mtgs. These will be upload about 3 to 4 days ahead of the assembly meeting. As always, please free to reach out to me at 907-861-8682, voice or text at 907-795-8133 or email – edna.devries@ matsugov.us Enjoy the summer - who knows what next winter will bring us. Mayor Edna DeVries, Mat-Su Borough the then Voc-Ed center as children since there were concrete blocks and other industrial leftovers that were fun for climbing and military artifacts to find. There were definitely old rusty oil drums. It didn’t bother us as kids. We picked berries there and played on the nearby playground. We wandered in the woods behind our house and adjacent to the Voc-Ed daily in the summers. In the spring, Aniak would flood most years- carrying debris from place to place to settle for the next year. It is expected that everybody in Aniak was exposed to the contamination. My concern is that my brother and others from my community may have been adversely affected by the White Alice contamination, even suffering life threatening and life changing illnesses due to exposure during their formative years. The site is still listed as contaminated by the Division of Spill Prevention and Response. It was a devastating spill, with insufficient cleanup in one of the purest parts of the planet, with possible ramifications for years to come. I am seeking and collecting stories from fellow Aniakers who think they may have been affected by the contamination to further our understanding of potential health outcomes from PCB exposure. Contact Brück Clift, MD at PO Box 2646 Palmer, AK 99645 or call 907-746-6686
water, clean air, unobstructed salmon streams, and renewable resource potential – resources that are becoming increasingly valuable as the world recognizes they are not infinite. With broad vision and innovative thinking, Alaska can lead and thrive in the economy of the future.
Fiscal planning is key to providing stability, and stability is key to strength. A solid fiscal footing will provide the predictability we need to hire and keep good teachers, retain and attract qualified police officers, and improve and maintain our roads and bridges and ferry system.
Education. People are the foundation of any economy. Our schools need budgets that parents and educators can count on. We must make salaries and benefits for our educators competitive to curb the significant outmigration of teachers. A great education for our children is the greatest resource development investment we can make.
In Bill’s first term in office, he successfully reduced Alaska’s financial shortfall by 75% despite historically low oil prices. There is more work to do. Alaska needs a stable fiscal plan developed with common sense, nonpartisan, practical solutions.
Permanent Fund and the PFD. As oil flow continues to decline, the Permanent Fund has become Alaska’s new golden goose. At more than $80 billion today, we are only about $20 billion from being able to live off the earnings of the Fund in perpetuity.
Resource Development. Alaska is a resource state. Our constitution includes an obligation to develop our resources for the “maximum benefit of Alaskans.” To us that means that: (1) resource extraction jobs should go to Alaska residents; (2) we don’t create financial incentives where they are not needed; (3) our resources do not get stranded because of access disputes by producers; (4) we have the lowest cost of energy in the nation, not the highest; and (5) we start making products in Alaska rather than paying a premium to get those same products shipped to us.
We could become the first and only state to be tax-free with 100% of our government services funded from Permanent Fund earnings, with enough funding for a capital budget AND a sustainable PFD each year. With wise stewardship of our financial resources, and working collaboratively with the legislature, we will grow the fund to support this and future generations of Alaskans.
Alaska also boasts abundant clean
These are just a few of our priorities for Alaska. No team will work harder and we would be honored to serve you again.
ACCESSIBILITY & MOBILITY 101 Mobility ........ 521-7101 ANTIQUES & VINTAGE The Estate Sale ........ 357-7050
POLITICS & OPINION
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Contributed by Les Gara & Jessica Cook Good leaders represent everyone, not just those with outsized wealth and influence. It’s why I’m running for Governor. This has become a state where you prosper if you’re already prosperous, and you often get a cold shoulder if you’re not. Most Alaskans have been turned against each other to battle over support for good schools, our children and elders, a PFD, and the things that make life better. I believe our fish should benefit Alaskans first, not Outside corporate factory trawlers that dump over 1,000 tons of halibut, salmon, and crab to the bottom of the ocean. I believe everyone deserves an equal voice in their government. This Governor has allowed wealthy donors and lobbyists to spend as much as they want to get their candidates elected. Unlimited campaign spending drowns out your voices. When our $500 limit on campaign contributions was struck down by a closely divided 2-1 court last year, I and others called on Governor Dunleavy to appeal that ruling. He refused. Then the court ordered him to appeal that ruling or explain his refusal. He refused to appeal again. When he was called on to file legislation to establish new campaign donation limits, he again refused. I’ll pass election spending limits. We should support good schools, job training, renewable energy projects, and the things that create opportunity. This Governor supports $1.2 billion in unjustifiable state subsidies to the wealthiest oil companies in the world. He spent his first three years in office claiming we were too poor to support schools and the things that create a
future for people. Today, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, oil prices have skyrocketed. Crippling oil prices have given the state government a temporary spike in oil revenue. Temporary blood money isn’t a plan for the future. You deserve a Governor who has a plan when oil prices fall after Russia’s war is over, not one who’ll use the return to lower oil prices as an excuse to plead state poverty again. Before Russia’s war caused this spike in oil prices, the Governor proposed the same “plan” we’ll see again if he’s reelected, and that I disagreed with. After getting elected, he attempted to cut a devastating quarter-billion dollars from our public schools. He twice tried to empty $1 billion from Alaska’s Power Cost Equalization fund, which Alaska needs to lower energy costs. With no plan, he then attempted to take an extra $3 billion from our Permanent Fund. That would have been the biggest raid on the Permanent Fund in state history. Republican and Democratic legislators blocked that raid. For three years, he made us too poor to move schools and needed construction, renewable energy, and local community projects forward. He pled poverty while giving away $1.2 billion in state subsidies to the wealthiest oil companies in the world. I believe we should use Alaska’s oil, while there is still world demand for it, to fund jobs, world-class schools, world-class renewable energy projects, and the things that help build a better future. That’s why I voted against these
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Contributed by Larry Wood I am declaring my run for HD25, because I feel that we need a fully committed and strong voice in Juneau that is not focused on reelection and who will commit to furthering the Republican Platform and conservative values. Spending has yet to be brought under control, the attack upon the traditional family, women, our rule of law and the Constitution continues unabated. The PFD situation has not changed. And, the Legislature is still in Juneau. And, our roads suck. A full PFD would have mitigated the impact of rising prices and stimulated the economy from the bottom up in contrast to state government’s trickle down ‘reward to special interests’ spending failure. Our education system has failed. Alaska ranks 47th overall, 50th in 4th grade literacy. Pouring money onto the fire of failure as the only solution without accountability and removing union and federal influence over the curriculum ensures continued failure. Instead, failure is rewarded with more money. Mental illness and sexual abuse need to be addressed, not ignored. Transgender treatments for adolescents are literally child abuse and barred until the individual reaches the age of majority. It is my understanding that the Valley’s AST manpower is about to be decreased. In a declining economy, crime increases. Unfortunately, the attack upon our rights is always against the law abiding, not the criminal. That needs to change. The 2A is an individual right and a right that insures the rest of our rights are recognized and respected by those in authority. I carry every day, because evil happens when and where it happens.
The recent shootings in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX are proof of this. ‘Feelings’ and ‘privilege’ do not exist under the Constitution. Yet, we find such in our law. The House decided to put risk of injury over safety for biological female athletes by refusing to pass SB140 barring transgender “females” from competition with biological females, and choosing tyranny over freedom by refusing to pass SB156, thereby denying Alaskans freedom from being forced to vaccinate against their will in order to keep their job. In March, 2022, UT overrode the governor’s veto and IN’s legislature did the same very recently. Abortion is legal, but the death of the baby resulting from criminal violence is murder under the law. This is a paradox that must be remedied. I am pro-life, to me, abortion is simply murder. The 2020 COVID response ignored our rights and resulted in unnecessary harm to and deaths of Alaskans. I want the patient doctor relationship and freedom to practice medicine denied under the COVID protocols restored. Alaska’s governor and Legislature have done nothing to ensure Alaskans access to COVID early treatment protocols using Ivermectin or Hydroxychloroquine and other effective cheap off label drugs. Yet, TN and MO have enacted legislation to make certain those drugs are available. The Legislature ran and hid in 2020, gave the governor carte blanche and ignored its responsibility as our voice. We have to prevent this from happening again. Any emergency response must only be made in consideration of the impact upon our rights. And, the Legislature’s oversight of a governor’s emergency declaration has to be maintained. No subdivision of government or school
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unaffordable oil company subsidies as a legislator. As a state senator in 2013, Dunleavy cast the deciding vote to enact them. I’ve voted to support responsible resource development. But as owners of Alaska’s oil, we should be equal partners with the oil industry, not junior partners. I believe the massive, toxic Pebble Mine threatens our greatest salmon runs. Governor Dunleavy has spent your money on lawyers to side with Canadian Pebble Mine executives and against Alaskans who rely on fish for food, income, and sport. This Governor has spent millions subsidizing private mining roads. Responsible projects stand on their own. In the Susitna Valley and Kobuk River region, he’s spent your money to support corporate mine prospects, many of which we know little about. I agree with former Governor Jay Hammond, who I was friends with. If mining can’t pay its own way, we shouldn’t use the people’s money to subsidize it. Jessica Cook and I both grew up without our parents and without privilege. We know from experience that putting people first and creating opportunity for all matters. Jessica has put children first as a teacher and elected education leader. I’ve voted to put our students, children, elders, and future first as a legislator. That’s what we’ll do as your Governor and Lt. Governor. Les Gara is a former legislator and Asst. Attorney General on the civil prosecution of Exxon after the Exon Valdez Oil Spill. He lives in Anchorage. Jessica Cook is a public school teacher, former Vice President of both Alaska’s and Anchorage’s education associations, and lives in Palmer.
district should be allowed to continue mandates or a state of emergency beyond the termination of the state’s emergency declaration. In my opinion, control was the objective and fear was the tool used to insure compliance in the 2020 response. Any official who fails to enforce the law in civil unrest that becomes a destructive riot, and refuses a governor’s offer of the organized militia to restore order under AS 26.05.070 should be held criminally and civilly liable for any harm or damage. I believe that smaller government is better government, something not demonstrated in the budgets passed by the House. Meaning less money spent, a focus on infrastructure, education and public safety. I believe that our rights are God given, natural and pre-existing, and that we are the power behind government. I further believe that we must insure the integrity of our voting system by barring electronic voting machines, requiring photo ID, and a chain of custody for our ballots. Outside money from individuals and PACs should be barred from interfering in Alaska’s elections and ballot initiatives. I believe that the Legislature must be removed from Juneau to Anchorage or the Valley. I further believe that we must risk a constitutional convention to correct the flaws in our state Constitution. The courts must end legislating from the bench and decide constitutional issues only upon Framers’ Intent. Legislating from the bench is usurping the Legislative Branch’s authority and should result in permanent disbarment and removal from the bench. My campaign contact information can be found at: www.elections.alaska.gov/ Core/candidatelistprim.php#HD25
COMMUNITY the written word, have a set lifespan. In particular, books mold, disintegrate, and fall apart. For instance, much-loved children’s board books are gnawed to the point of non-recognition by children and dogs. Equally loved children’s books become tattered, worn, and often fall apart. Adult books that fall into the bathtub take on the consistency of bricks.
Contributed by Alys Culhane To shred or not to shred, this is the toughest question that the Bright Lights Book Project volunteers attempt to answer, now on a near daily basis. This is because in some minds shredding is considered akin to book burning, a practice that has been equated with suppression of historically based information. The sole commonality between book burning and shredding is this: Gone then, is a single copy of a book, magazine, public document, or private journal, never to again be seen in its original form. The reality is this: paper-based materials, and this includes those that include
We are fortunate in that Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS) recycles books. The lifespan of a book that’s burned or sent to the landfill is finite. The lifespan of a book that’s recycled is infinite. At VCRS, hardback books are pulped and paperbacks are sent to the mill as mixed paper. Such books then begin life anew. The Bright Lights Book Project volunteers salvage, sort, categorize, clean, and distribute books that, in part, are donated to us by VCRS. The abovementioned question, to shred or not to shred surfaces when salvagers sort through Gaylords (chest high cardboard boxes) boxes, bins, and bags. The Bright Light Book Project, at its inception, had a five percent save rate. Now, three years later, it has a ninetyfive percent save rate. We initially adhered to absolutes when determining what should be salvaged and what should be shredded. Dirty, torn, marred, crusty, old, out-of-date
MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA
books were shredded and pulped. However, our categorical imperatives blurred when we began focusing on audience-related considerations. For example, we asked: What do you do with multiple copies of young adult books? Back in the days of the project we designated “extras” of these books for shredding. We began sending duplicate copies to villages after teachers and administrators explained to us that they are integral to classroom discussions. What do you do with general interest dictionaries? With the advent of the Internet and on-line thesauruses, these documents presumably became passe. BLBP volunteer Pete Praetorius saved the day here. He began leaving good quality dictionaries and specialty dictionaries (such as include translation and medical dictionaries) in a box in a hallway at Mat-Su College. In a few days, they were gone. What do you do with two, three, four boxes of romance novels? The answer to this question surfaced one day as I was making my distribution rounds. My last morning stop on Tuesdays is the Palmer Senior Center. I set out books at noon and talk with Seniors about what I have on hand back at the Church of the Covenant/Meeting House. “I would like Life Inspired romance novels,” one reader declared. Her request was echoed by several other women who were stand-
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ing close by. “I have just what you’re looking for,” I said. The following week I rolled my hand cart into the dining hall and put three boxes of Life Inspired romances on the table. The books were gone in an hour’s time. What do you do with a deceased person’s library, one that contains hundreds of art books, animal books, and Arizona History? The Mat-Su Animal Shelter took the majority of the animal books, and The MatSu College Art Department took the art books. Valley Arts Alliance members also assisted in the distribution of the latter. These were what we call direct placements. The Arizona History books were what we call indirect placements. For instance, the books that we placed in the nonfiction bookcase at Vagabond Blues went to appreciative readers. We still have a handful of these books on hand. Any takers? We are continuing, when it comes to finding appreciative readers for books, to make imaginative leaps. Thus far, we have hit the mark one hundred percent of the time. We also remain open to suggestions as far as book placement goes. If you know of anyone or any organizations that might want to host a bookcase or would like a specific type of book, contact Alys Culhane at director@ brightlightsbookproject.org.
COMMUNITY
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Contributed by Angie Lewis Alaska Animal Advocate She’s a five year old pit mix, and just the sweetest girl you’ll ever meet. Knetta loves kids, is leash trained, and house trained. Her only issue is that she doesn’t like larger female dogs. We’re looking for a foster and/or forever home for Miss Knetta. We provide everything for our foster families - kennels, food, bowls, etc - all you need to do is provide a safe place to stay and LOVE. Call Angie at Alaska Animal Advocates at 907-841-3173 for more info.
pass. This can cause lack of appetite, vomiting, and eventually death.
Contributed by Angie Lewis Dogs can eat anything that they can get into their mouth, even rocks. Pica is the name for the habit of eating non-food items. This can be caused by medical problems revolving around thyroid issues, or nutrient deficiencies, This behavior can also be the result of abuse or neglect. A stressed dog can exhibit pica. If your dog eats rocks, you should definitely speak to your veterinarian,
who will have suggestions on how to deal with this behavior. If you think your dog may have ingested a rock, monitor your dog’s activity level, look for digestive problems, lethargy, and check his stool. You may need to take your pooch to the vet to deal with an obstruction. The vet may decide to x-ray your dog’s abdomen to look for an obstruction. This is a situation where the rock blocks the colon and and will not allow it to function properly by allowing stool to
How to avoid having your dog eat rocks – this can be challenging. Firstly, make sure that your dog is in good health. Then, try to avoid areas that a have rocks or pebbles, not easy to do in Alaska. Watch your dog like a hawk, make sure that he is not getting rocks while you are unaware. Remove any rocks that your dog has put in his mouth and firmly tell him no or leave it. You may need to get some professional help to resolve these issues.
application listed under Awards and Recognition. If you have any further questions, please contact the Valley Board of REALTORS®, the voice of REALTORS® in the Valley. Contributed by Paula Nance June 1, 2022 – The Valley Board of REALTORS® (VBR) is offering two $1,500 scholarships for continuing higher education. The scholarships are open to
the public and require that the school be in Alaska. Deadline for receipt of the application is August 1, 2022 Visit www.valleyboardofrealtors.org – click on ENGAGE and you will find the
For more information contact valleybd@mtaonline.net Steven Blades Kiltedak@gmail.com (209) 602-0686
COMMUNITY maybe labeled containers in a pantry. Other ideas more ‘outta sight’ could be a closet, garage or shed.
Contributed by Randi Perlman Recycling is picking up speed & momentum, and becoming more main stream every day. It’s the right thing to do, and makes you feel good when you do it! But how to start, you might ask yourself?!? Sometimes a project that seems challenging to tackle in one big chunk is so much easier when you take it in small ‘baby’ steps. Here are some tips to make recycling a simple part of your life while forming a positive, earthchanging habit. Before you begin, it’s helpful to know which materials are collected in your area. Visit Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS), your local recycling center, or their website at www.valleyrecycling. org for a colorful flyer that lists all recyclable items they collect. Then, think about the items on that list your household uses most. Often, people start with one or two of those items, for example cardboard and beverage containers, then add more later. The amount of space you have available for collecting and sorting will determine what size containers you’ll need. Where should you store your recyclables until they’re ready to drop off at VCRS? Wherever works best for you, of course! Since many items come from the kitchen, perhaps a bin under your sink would work, an empty drawer (hard to come by), or
When it comes to a system, create your own! Use what you have, which might be old wastebaskets, cardboard boxes, laundry baskets, or paper bags. You could purchase bins, totes, or self-stacking containers. They can be labeled, color-coded or clear so you can easily see what’s inside. Use whatever’s convenient, cost-effective, and easy to handle. Post a recycling flyer in your sorting area as a guide for all family members and visiting friends. Labeling helps everyone find the right home for their recyclables. When your sorted items are ready for drop-off at VCRS, bring them in their original collection container to be emptied (if that’s convenient), or in plastic bags or boxes that can be recycled or re-used. Use smaller bins for heavy items so they can be lifted easily. Take a full load, or combine it with another trip to save time and gas ($$). Keep in mind the Recycling Center is conveniently located adjacent to the Borough Central Landfill as well as Animal Care & Control. Don’t forget to empty and rinse any drink and food containers before recycling, and discard the caps. THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY OF RECYCLING AT HOME OR AT WORK. Do what works for you and keep the process simple. Once you’ve set up a system, collecting and preparing items should only take minutes a day. REMEMBER…try to REDUCE the amount you use, REUSE things when you can, and then RECYCLE. Make it a HABIT! Together We Are Turning it Around! Pick up next month’s edition of The People’s Paper/Make a Scene Magazine for Recycling Repeats Itself, Episode 8