The People's Paper March 2020

Highlighting Artist Cindy Pendleton

MORE ON PAGE 11 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE Contributed by AJ Hoffman & Ben Rowell

Coloring Page: Artist Britney Kauffman MORE ON PAGE 13 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE

The 14th Annual Fly Fishing Film Tour is hitting the road and headed to Wasilla with a fresh batch of new films.

This year's film line-up will undoubtedly get you excited to grab a rod and hit the water this upcoming season. So, what are you waiting for? Come join us at F3T - the largest fly fishing film event of its kind.

While the F3T travels all across the nation, anglers young and old alike will get taken on an adventure featuring cartwheeling steelhead, pristine Australian coastlines, fish brought back from the brink of ruin to jungle streams laden with aggressive fish, and so much more!

The F3T lands in Wasilla on Saturday, March 28th at Everett’s at Mat-Su Resort. Shows start at 5pm and 8pm. Tickets are available at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle and flyfilmtour.com. Given the circumstances regarding the Coronavirus, please call 373-5434 for updates on the event.

stroll with musk oxen to meet!

Visiting the Musk Ox Farm in winter is the best time to get a glimpse at these Ice Age animals showing off all of their amazing arctic adaptations. They also tend to be a lot more active, as they love to play in the snow and dance in the wind. Our entire herd is moved up to the front pastures of the property that the tour takes you past, since we don’t need to move any animals around for rotational grazing like we do in the summer months.

BONUS: Winter is also your best chance to meet our bulls, as they are often put into “hormonal time-out” come summer rut season. Trust us, it’s for everyone’s benefit!

MUENSTER WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU!

Contributed by Kerry Nelson, Musk Ox Farm Would you believe that people actually come out to visit us in the winter?

It's true! We even had a group of folks from Arizona, Las Vegas, Georgia and France come out for a tour of the farm during one of those recent epic windstorms, and they lasted for forty minutes out there! Not only did they

get to see our musk oxen in their true winter element, they all have quite the story to tell their friends and family back home.

I guess what we’re trying to say is, if a group of southerners from the Outside are up to the task, we know our local Alaskan community is too! Just think of it like any other winter activity you all gear up for, but it’s a nice leisurely

We know that we don’t have to tell our fellow Alaskans what to wear to be winter-prepared (hopefully!), but we’ve created some handy tips for those brave souls who may be visiting you and want to come and see us! As you know, being properly prepared means that your guests can experience the indescribable beauty of winter in Alaska in comfort and style.

Alright, maybe style takes a back seat to most winter gear, but your friends CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Snow Blinded: Avalanche Safety 2020

MORE ON PAGE 4 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER

COMMUNITY Contributed by Linda MeyersSteele, Senior Education Senior education classes are offered free (except for occasional supplies as noted). There are no tests, no grades and no homework. Wasilla Senior Center, 1301 Century Circle, Wasilla, hosts the classes at no charge, and all the presenters are volunteers who are experts in their field! Please join us. senioreducationwasilla@gmail.com APRIL 2020 SCHEDULE: Tuesday, April 7, 3:00PM-4:00PM Dr. Mc Peck, Veterinarian of Tier I Veterinary Medical Center, will share experiences as a vet to military dogs, photos, first-hand knowledge. This is sure, to be very interesting.

Our Local “Jewel”: UAF Farm at Trunk & Georgeson Roads Tuesday, April 14, 3:00PM-4:00PM What is happening at the farm

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currently, historically, and into the future. This farm belongs to all Alaskans. Jodie Anderson, Director, is an enthusiastic speaker and is sure to please.

Book Club “I Read What I Want To Read” Tuesday, April 21, 3:00-4:00 PM (Meets every third Tuesday until May 2020) Share a book summary and learn from others of interesting books.

Facilitator, Andi Nations, Retired Public School Educator/Non-Profit Facilitator The Census & Scams Tuesday, April 28, 3:00PM-4:00PM An accurate census report is important to every citizen. However, there are fraudulent scammers working to gain your personal information.

Learn warning signs to be aware of ways to protect yourself. Presented

by AARP Director, Daryl Royce.

our students stay focused and never give up. Also to know we see them, and that they are our future.

“We hope that by performing these small random acts of kindness, we can encourage others to pay it forward. Our residents and staff are such a generous group, and they truly come alive when they have the opportunity to give back and interact with the Mat-Su community.”

– Heidiann Gaffney, Life Enrichment Coordinator

Palmer, Alaska Primrose Retirement Community residents and staff will spent Thursday, February 13th dispersing $500.00 in gift cards, goody bags, school supplies, and treats to unsuspecting

Mat-Su College students to kick start national random acts of kindness day February 17th. Here at Primrose Retirement we want to give back and encourage everyone to be kind to each other. We also understand collage can be hard! We want to help

“Primrose Retirement Community loves being a part of the Mat-Su community. This is our 3rd year doing Random Acts of Kindness at the Mat-Su Collage and it has become something we look forward to every year.” Dana Mayeaux Sales Director

lars to their maximum ability, have helped improve the quality and length of life for those suffering from the disease. In 1974, when my sister passed away at age 6, that was life expectancy for someone with CF. Now, average life expectancy is around age 45 and about half of those living with CF are over the age of 18. Our fundraising efforts are paying off, but there is still a lot of work to be done.

Contributed by Mary Ann Johnson, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Cystic Fibrosis Spring Arts & Crafts Bazaar 4/25/2020 - 10AM Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Mat-Su Career & Technical High School 2472 N Seward Meridian Pkwy.

Wasilla FREE Event Looking for a great spring event that supports a good cause?

The Cystic Fibrosis Spring Arts & Crafts Bazaar will take place at MatSu Career & Technical High School on Saturday, April 25th, from 10AM to 4PM. This bazaar will feature handmade crafts, Alaskan-made products, local businesses and silent auction items, from nearly 90 vendors. And what is an event without food?

There will be a variety of fresh, warm

homemade soups, baked potato bar, nachos, baked goods, snacks and beverages.

I have been coordinating fundraisers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the past 20 years. My involvement and passion for fundraising for this organization is very personal, having lost three siblings to the disease. In my years of fundraising, I have met many Alaskans living with the disease as well as the families, friends, and neighbors of people with cystic fibrosis. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those affected by the disease with the end goal of finding a cure.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. There is no cure.

The efforts of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, using fundraising dol-

The CF Bazaar is free and open to the public. It is a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation so please come out and support the cause. The silent auction will have lots of amazing items, some donated by the vendors and some from other community businesses. Money raised from vendor fees, silent auction, food table and other donations will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. You won’t want to miss out on the fun!

If you are interested in participating as a vendor or would like to make a donation to the silent auction, please contact me. You can also help by visiting the Bazaar Facebook page and sharing the event. Please like the page, share it often, and bring your friends and family out to shop and support the cause.

Contact information: Event coordinator: Mary Ann Johnson Phone/Text: 907-841-6892 Email: cffalaska@gmail.com Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/CysticFibrosisBazaar

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Contributed by Michele N. Harmeling, United Way of Mat-Su The 2020 Mat-Su Valley Resource Guide is available for download on our website: https://unitedwaymatsu. org/our-work/resource-guide/ Please download and use at your convenience.

United Way of Mat-Su Seeks Board Candidates: Do you have a passion for community, the desire to make a change and a heart for giving? We hope you’ll consider joining the UWMS team as a member of our board of directors!

UWMS is recruiting for philanthropyminded individuals to fill several open positions as members of our Board. You’ll work with other members of the Mat-Su community on vital issues and events like Stuff the Bus and Project Homeless Connect.

For more information, and to apply, please contact Stephanie Allen at 745-5821 or sallen@unitedwaymatsu. org.

McKinley Fire Long-Term Recovery Group Preparing for Spring: The McKinley Fire Long-Term Recovery Group continues to assist survivors of the McKinley Fire. The group is currently involved in case management, checking in regularly with families affected by the fires to determine their needs and make sure they are warm, safe and stable. A cabin has been built for a family and is almost move-in ready.

Fire families who are still recovering from the McKinley Fire will need assistance with tasks such as yard clean-up, driveway maintenance, restoring gardens and exterior home repair.

MFLTRG invites the community to pre-register for volunteer opportunities via the United Way of Mat-Su website. Please list any relevant skills or certifications you may hold (eg; construction experience, First Aid/CPR certification) as well as any special accommodations you may need. To get started, visit www.unitedwaymatsu.org/volunteer.

You will be contacted with further details as volunteer opportunities arise. Questions? Call Michele Harmeling, Volunteer Coordinator, at 745-5824 or email admin@unitedwaymatsu.org.

Donations Management Update: If you are interested in donating to fire relief efforts, a financial donation remains the best way to ensure that MFLTRG and other nonprofit agencies are able to make purchases

Wasilla’s Brian Remley is one of more than 60,000 Alaskans who made better home buying decisions, thanks to HomeChoice, ™ a free class offered by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC).

Brian purchased his first house in 2018. “I was nervous, and I wanted insider knowledge of what to look for, things to pay attention to and types of questions I should be asking when looking for the right home,” he said.

HomeChoice™ is a six-hour class that helps prospective homebuyers

according to each family’s specific needs, in a timely manner.

To make a financial donation to MFLTRG, visit www.unitedwaymatsu.org, click the “Donate” tab, and be sure to check the box saying you’d like your donation to support McKinley Fire relief efforts.

After families begin rebuilding, MFLTRG anticipates a greater need for donated home furnishings, appliances, cabinetry, and fixtures. Items must be in good, working condition.

Donors must be willing to store items themselves until arrangements can be made for transport.

Donations will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. If you have items to donate, please call Michele Harmeling, Donations Management Coordinator at 745-5824 or email admin@unitedwaymatsu.org. (Please include photos and a brief description of each item in your email.)

Spring Drug Take Back Day: April 27, 2020 - 10am-3pm Valley residents may bring unused and expired drugs and medications to either Fred Meyer pharmacy location (Wasilla and Palmer) for safe disposal. Talkeetna area residents may visit the Talkeetna Sunshine Community Health Clinic. This event runs from 10AM-3PM at all locations.

Help prevent misuse of prescription drugs and keep our community safe by marking your calendar for Drug Take-Back Day! (Please note that we cannot accept medical sharps or medical waste.)

Thrive Mat-Su Youth Retreat Registration is Now Open: Thrive Mat-Su is now accepting applications for the 2020 Thrive MatSu Youth Retreat. Held at beautiful North Star Bible Camp in Willow, AK, the Youth Retreat is open to students, ages 12-18. This event is free of charge, but space is limited. In past years, the retreat has included workshops on self-care, resilience, youth leadership, outdoor skills, community service, and plenty of time swimming or boating on the lake. Text YOUTHRETREAT to 51555 to receive your application via mobile (texts need not be case-sensitive). Applications will

work their way through the decisions and steps of buying a home and how to save money on closing costs. Topics covered include how to shop for a lender and a real estate professional, title insurance, energyefficient homes, how to get a home loan, purchase and sale contracts, home inspections, money management and budgeting and AHFC loan programs.

The class is open to all buyers, whether it’s their first house or their fifth, and is particularly valuable for those interested in learning more about the

be reviewed upon receipt and each student will be contacted regarding their status. Please submit your application by May 22nd at close of business.

Questions, or unable to utilize mobile app? Please call Becky Stoppa at (907) 745-5827 or email impact@ unitedwaymatsu.org.

Early Childhood Partnership Updates: Borough Gym Play Time is coming to a close for the summer. Here are our remaining dates, each on a Wednesday from 10am-2pm.

March 4 March 11 March 18 March 25 April 1 April 8 April 15 (LAST SESSION) Toys are welcome, but no Razor scooters or pedal bikes please! The Early Childhood Partnership will host an informal, regularly meetup for parents/caregivers and children-find us on Facebook for updates: @EarlyChildhoodMatSu. Are you a licensed Valley childcare provider? Grants are currently available through ECP to cover childcare facility renovations and repairs. This may include playground equipment upgrades, safety equipment, painting, re-flooring and other improvements. To receive an application, please email admin@unitedwaymatsu.org.

Join the Youth 360 Team and Join the Fun: Youth 360 is hiring! We are hiring for two (2) part-time youth engagement specialists. Youth Engagement Specialists staff a youth club for middle and high school students after school, during school breaks and scheduled summer hours. Youth Engagement Specialists will help youth plan programming for the Youth Club and develop a welcoming, safe, judgment-free environment that the youth feel they belong to.

For a full job description and to apply, visit www.unitedwaymatsu. org/employment-opportunities/.

homebuying process, how to prepare for homeownership and how to access local and federal programs that reduce the cost of homeownership.

Two HomeChoice classes are scheduled for the Mat-Su in the coming weeks: 3/25/-3/26, 6-9 p.m.

4/8-4/9, 6-9 p.m.

Both classes will be held at Valley Board of Realtors, 741 E. Susitna, Wasilla.

HomeChoice™ is a great first step, particularly for first-time buyers, Brian said.

Alaskans can also take the course online, ahfc.us/buy/homechoice/ homestudy

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everyone to check it out.

All across Alaska conditions are such that anyone who rides, skis, hikes or otherwise plays or travels in the backcountry should perk up and listen.

Avalanches are not the only hazard out there either. Last spring, while I was serving as the director at the Alaska Avalanche Information Center, a young man called to share his story about riding near Lost Lake on the Kenai Peninsula out of Seward.

He said riding conditions were challenging due to the heavy, warm snowpack, pretty much just like we’ve seen on multiple occasions this winter. On the day, he described the snow began falling hard and steady in the afternoon as the light faded. The challenge got a whole lot worse because he and his friend became separated.

His friend had ridden over a ridge and gotten stuck in another valley and could not get back. Both men were frantically struggling to reconnect. They tried calling on the radio over and over without luck. Finally, from the top of a ridge, the young man telling me the tale said he heard a crackle on the radio and eventually got a signal that connected. The two friends could not see each other, but what they could see was the same island on the lake. They, and a third friend, agreed to try and meet there.

Contributed by Debra McGhan The winter of 2020 is proving to be a wild ride. A roller coaster of temperatures and precipitation has created a lasagna of layers in the snow. Some are extremely weak and fragile. Some polished into slabs by the wind. And many of those layers keep getting buried under mounds of fresh flakes all piling up and waiting for a trigger to release their

Contributed by Ryanne Ori, Consign49 Consign49 Spring 2020 Consignment Event April 16-19, 2020 - 9AM Consign49 Raven Hall, Alaska State Fairgrounds FREE Admission

Contributed by Wes Keller I listened to my senator, Mike Shower, explaining on the radio why his colleagues kicked him out of the majority caucus. What a zoo! We watch in stunned amazement (from a distance), and it is frustrating. We are watching abusive injustice against voters… (us).

Senator Showers represents my values well and now he/we are neutralized by whatever game our legislators are playing! It is an affront to all Alaskans because it mocks the Alaska Constitutional assurance: “All political power is inherent in the people…” (Article I.2).

Alaskans sent a Republican majority of legislators to Juneau which means Senator Shower, by association, represents the values of a majority of Alaskans. We are a Red State and hold vetted red-state values clearly accessible on-line as a party platform. The platform is a product of hard work in a grass roots, open to all, process. So, why are we forced to tolerate, year after year, the insult of legislative organizational abuse that mocks who we are?

My years of experience in Juneau taught me arcane traditions prevail in the Juneau legislative culture. The best we could do with our collaboration and consensus was create a survival of the fittest legislative environment. Rules get established over time, shaped by a

load. A trigger that for the unprepared, could be you or a friend.

My avalanche practitioner friends are hustling to keep an eye on conditions and share their findings at www.

Alaskasnow.org. They can link you with any of Alaska’s regional or national avalanche centers where you can see their forecasts and observations. If you haven’t already, I strongly encourage

How would you like to shop from a selection of thousands of high-quality items at 60%-90% off retail prices, all under one roof?

Consign49 is a 4-day event held each spring and fall, in which over 200 local community members bring new and gently-used clothing, accessories and home décor items together to form a

constitution that intentionally created a weak legislature!

This, plus a provision of an apolitical revenue stream (the legislature has no credible need to pass tax legislation for the lion’s share of the budget), allows energy for a childish game of legislative “king on the mountain”. The “on-thejob training” for new legislators in the organizational process includes dealing with being outwitted and bullied by insider senior legislators who have been previously domesticated to adequately fund the “deep state”.

Many legislators who would otherwise succeed because of their integrity and expertise, find themselves side-lined (like Shower) when all the forces for big government are accumulated against them. In effect, Alaska’s legislation is censured to allow only a mixture of fluff (naming bridges, fighting over coincided designs, creating holidays to honor people or state events, resolutions with no legal authority), or, any legislation to fund the deep state (the SB 115 tax makes my point).

Responsible spending laws, or laws trying to fix the constitution get no traction. The legislators in “leadership” (some are good friends) are victims, not tyrants. They have often had to restrain themselves from expressing their red-state values in order to acquire their authority. To earn their influence to

Their elation over their successful reunion was short lived when they realized they were going to have to spend the night.

“Even though I grew up here and I totally know better, I was so not prepared for this,” the young man told me. “We didn’t have some of the most basic survival gear you need. It was insane.”

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The boys survived the night, although that’s when the tale got really horrifying. Sheer will and youthful health are the only things that likely kept them alive. The next morning, they were met on the trail by worried family members who brought critical supplies to get the young men out. He explained he’d learned a valuable lesson from this experience and wanted me to share it with others.

Be prepared. Make sure you do carry basic things like avalanche beacon, shovel, probe, hot packs, emergency blanket, fire starter (that will work even when it’s wet,) emergency food and water. Bring along a first aid kit and extra clothes. If you end up in a life-threatening situation, you’ll be very grateful you have these things; the items the young man sharing his story said they did not have.

“One space blanket and two wet lighters for three grown men just didn’t get it,” he told me. “I thought for sure we were going to die that night. It’s not something I would ever want to go through again.”

This spring, don’t get blinded by all the snow and your craving to get out and ride. Take the time to learn or refresh your skills and be prepared. There are some great training programs planned across the state this spring well worth the investment.

The Alaska Avalanche Information Center at www.alaskasnow.org has free programs supported by the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Division of Alaska State Troopers. If you want a class for your club, school or group, call them at 907-255-2242 or email info@alaskasnow.org and request one today.

Here’s to a long, happy spring riding and touring season.

large-scale resale pop-up.

in need.

Each consignor individually prices and tags each item, and items are dropped off approximately one day before the sale begins. Consign49 team members work to organize all items, so everything can be easily shopped according to category and size. There is also a dedicated boutique section, in which local boutiques have discount and clearance items for sale. In addition, there is a “vendor row” where local businesses will have booths for sharing their products and services.

The Consign49 Spring 2020 Event will be held April 16th-19th at Raven Hall at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer, Alaska. Admission and parking are free, all major credit cards are accepted, and dressing rooms are available for trying on clothing items. Hours are 9am – 8pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and from 9am – 5pm on Sunday. On Sunday the 19th, many remaining items will be marked half price, depending on whether the individual consignor has chosen to put the item into the halfprice sale.

The event benefits all involved and is recycling at its best! Consignors get to do some spring cleaning to clear out items from their homes while earning some extra cash. Shoppers get the opportunity to buy brand name items, or much needed seasonal items, for a fraction of retail prices. Additionally, many items that go unsold at the end of the event will be donated to local charities

fight for their constituent’s “share” at the trough. They have had to pay their dues to powers greater than the powers of the legislature.

There is ample evidence that our “redstate values” have slipped to accommodate this mess. As a culture, we abhor meaningful partisan wars, in spite of the fact heart-felt debate actually reveals America’s (any Republic’s) good health!

Diverse perspectives require “air”! If we believe we really have been created equal, we must endure passion of arguments. Remember the lukewarm Senate “Bi-partisan Working Group (Circa 2008)”? How did that work out?

Check your history and consider the quality of the senators ultimately disenfranchised (like Senator Shower) in that fiasco. Senators Dyson, Therriault, Huggins… statesmen with solid values… We are ignoring the symptom of disease when we tell ourselves we prefer bipartisan pablum, it simply does not work that way. We are so far down this road, any repair of original constitutional imbalances is hard to imagine, especially when they are proposed by defrocked legislators!

Remember, in Alaska’s imbalanced constitution, any constitutional amendment must be approved by 2/3 of the entire legislature before “We the People” get a vote. In my opinion, this imposes an almost impossible threshold unless

If you are interested in becoming a consignor at the event, please go to www.consign49.com for more information. Consignor spots are limited and will be on a first come basis. Additionally, a limited number of vendor spaces are available. Please send an email to info@consgin49.com for more information.

we start a passionate political war. I respectively predict Senator Shower’s proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 17) to repair this mess is hardly worth the paper it is written on because we tolerate bipartisan legislative leadership that will not move this type of legislation!

We are dealing with the unintentional consequence of lack of checks and balances intentionally instituted into our constitution. Popular wisdom once was, we supposedly had too few people to pay for government in a massive geographic area. Incredibly, some still believe this even after seeing our oil wealth. This argument was used to justify creation of an administrative government significantly diminishing the role of the legislature. Alaskan tweaks of traditional constitutional values are having a profound impact far beyond what was probably anticipated.

It is now not enough for constituents to get angry with their legislators because they fail to fix the problem because they can’t - without unprecedented engagement of politically passionate people. If we continue to allow the ruling class in the “deep state” to overthrow conservatives such as Senator Showers, Governor Dunleavy, and others, we lose!

It is an open question as to whether we can possibly repair our government, or not…. The Alaskan version of “deep state” may be a terminal condition!

Wes Keller | www.weskeller.com

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made available a brochure outlining these changes on their website at www.

Alaska.gov.

Contributed by Khrista Huntley, Alaska Insurance Solutions, LLC.

contacting business owners individually to disseminate these new rules.

In August of 2019, the State of Alaska Division of Workers Compensation, in participation with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development issued new rules pertaining to workers compensation requirements for business owners in Alaska.

Prior to August of 2019, corporations owners could opt-out of providing coverage for themselves by simply filing an executive waiver with the State of Alaska Workers Compensation Division. Owners of Limited Liability Corps (LLC’s) were also allowed to go without coverage on themselves. Now, there are much more stringent rules to claim exemption for ownership coverage.

For the most part, these new rules have only been brought to the attention of industry folks, who regularly receive bulletins and updates from the State about insurance regulation changes and updates. The State of Alaska is not

Does your business fall under either of these categories? If you are a C Corp, S Corp or LLC, I recommend that you get

in touch with your trusted insurance professional, so they can help guide you in making an informed decision.

It may turn out that you are one of the thousands of business owners that now need to purchase workers compensation coverage for yourself. Your agent can help determine whether you’re currently compliant, and give you an estimate of the cost. Most independent agents and brokers here in the Valley offer workers compensation policies.

You can also contact the Alaska Division of Workers Compensation Special Investigations Unit at 907-269-4002 or toll free at 888-372-8330. The State has

Bunches.

Contributed by Amy Pettit On behalf of the Alaska Farmland Trust, I would like to thank all of you who came out to enjoy Palmer’s first Farm Prom! It was such a thrill to see so many people dressed up in suits and ties, ball gowns and heels. Clearly, Palmer was ready for a fun night out as over 150 of your friends and neighbors enjoyed the spectacular evening.

I’d like to start by thanking Richelle Plummer, former vice president of the Mat-Su Farm Bureau, our co-host for the event. Among many other roles, Richelle coordinated the food, which was the highlight of the evening. Working with Rempel Family Farm, Hungate Farm, VanderWeele Farm, Reimers Micro Farm, Bushes Bunches, Blue Creek Livestock, Mat-Su Farm Co-Op and SubZero Freeze Drying, Richelle had a vision of serving ALL Alaska Grown meal to attendees… and she NAILED IT! The food was amazing!

thankful to Vagabond Blues and Turkey Red for preparing menu items, sourcing additional local products, and more.

Laurie and Alex embody the spirit of giving back and didn’t hesitate to go above and beyond in helping to make this was a delicious evening.

Events such as this are not successful without an entire team of volunteers, donors, sponsors and supporters.

Thanks to my Farmland Trust board members, Leslie and Denise, for helping check people in, sell swag and raffle ticket, and to Ty and Ternese who were ‘voluntold’ to help as well – THANK YOU! Sponsors of Farm Prom included: Brad Daggett, Country Financial; Craig Taylor Equipment – who also brought that beautiful green and yellow tractor for outside; State Farm, Mike Devine; Matanuska Electric Association; and our media sponsor – Make A Scene, The Peoples Paper and 95.5 Hatcher Pass Radio.

Huge thanks to longtime Alaska Grown supporter and promoter, Clayton Jones of Ember Custom Foods, for the creativity of the menu and knowing how to pull it all together. We are sincerely

The event was an all-around success with attendees raving about the food, the fun, the atmosphere, the delicious kombucha from 203 Kombucha and rhubarb lemonade from Bushes

Contributed by Nolan Murphy, Wasilla High School Baseball Class of 2021

from around Alaska compete against one another for the state championship.

Wasilla Warriors Baseball Team Annual Fundraising Dinner Auction 4/4/2020 - 6PM Wasilla Warriors Baseball Team Mat-Su Career and Technical High School 2472 N Seward Meridian Pkwy.

Wasilla Tickets: $20 Playing baseball in Alaska can be a difficult experience, hours of time indoors in the off-season and expensive prices for facility usage, equipment and travel.

Despite these things, every year, teams

Contributed by Paula Nance The Mat Su Sertoma Club is grateful to the many sponsors and volunteers who helped make our 2020 Mat Su Plunge the best ever. As my friend, John Klapperich, says, “If it can be done, the Valley can do it!”

Look around you. It’s amazing when you

In 2019, Wasilla High School took home its first state championship in school and Valley history. Winning this championship took a lot of hard work and support, and we thank everyone who supported us in our championship run.

In 2020, Wasilla High School is looking to defend their state championship title along with a plan to upgrade to their facilities to ensure a better playing and viewing experience.

The season kicks off with our annual fundraising dinner auction on Saturday, April 4th at 6:00PM at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School. You can

Farmland Trust has never hosted an event without relying on (the one and only!) Sabrena Combs to handle beer service. Thanks to Sabrena and Kalea Hogate for doing yet another fabulous job! Farm Prom featured five different beers from Palmers’ newest brewer, Lazy Mountain Brewing Co., and Sabrena and Kalea did a fabulous job of keeping patrons informed and served. Thank you for your endless and generous support ladies.

A huge shout-out to James Hastings, who reached out to me the week of the event to offer his support and assistance. James acted as an emcee and auctioneer throughout the evening, making sure attendees knew what they were supporting and encouraging generosity. James and his lovely wife, Mary, stayed until the very end of the evening, even helping to stack chairs and put away tables. There is no better volunteer than one like that.

Fines for operating your business out of compliance with the Workers Comp Division can be up to $1000 per day, for every day you have payroll, so don’t delay!

If you’re interested in receiving a free copy of the latest “Employer Guide to Workers Compensation Act” give Alaska Insurance Solutions a call at 907-3761030 and we’ll send one out to you.

Agent 907 Khrista Huntley Alaska Insurance Solutions, Owner/ Agent

Glenda Smith Realty sponsored the much-loved Farm Prom Photo Booth with pictures taken by Dan of Droneworks Alaska. What a fun touch that was! Thank you Glenda and Dan. Finally, you can’t throw a good dance party without great dance music, and boy did we get this one right! Thanks to Ken Peltier for once again running excellent sound for both the Ken Peltier Band and special guests, I Like Robots!

The crowd thoroughly enjoyed both bands and we can’t wait to invite them to our next gathering! A rumor of dance lessons to coincide with next year’s Farm Prom is circulating amongst organizers… Stay tuned!

Thanks again to this community for supporting our agricultural industry. All of the proceeds from Farm Prom will be split between the Mat-Su Chapter of the Farm Bureau, whose mission is agriculture advocacy and the Alaska Farmland Trust, who continues to work hard to permanently protect agricultural soils.

A big thank you to Dave and Andrea Fuller, owners of Cobb Street Market for putting together the beautiful gift bags that we auctioned off. We also had contributions from Seeds & Soils Farm in Palmer. Thank you Jennifer!

If you’d like any additional information about one of the businesses mentioned here, would like to get involved with Farm Prom next year, or have additional feedback about the event, please contact Amy at AmyPettit@akfarmland.com.

purchase tickets for a prime rib dinner prepared by Chef Mike Graham for $20 from any Wasilla High School baseball player.

fence, Mom Boyett must receive your money and graphics by April 3rd.

Along with the dinner, there will also be a silent auction for desserts and various items. If you would like to donate an item or receive more information, please contact Team Mom Cyndi Boyett (907-414-0173) or visit the Wasilla Warriors Baseball Facebook page.

Even if you can’t contribute to our fundraising efforts, the best ways to show your support for our team is by attending our home games at the Wasilla High School field. The first game is April 20th against West High School at 6:30PM. There are no gate or parking fees at any of our home games, which is why our fundraising efforts are so important.

My teammates and I have been heading out into the community to ask businesses to help support our fundraising efforts. We have many sponsorship opportunities and if you’d like your business banner to be displayed on our

On behalf of the entire Wasilla High School Baseball Team, we thank you for all of your support and look forward to seeing you at the field.

NO! I’m wondering if perhaps there isn’t a throne is waiting for you? Incredulous?

Read on.

cause people have abdicated their place of leadership.

just ASK, people respond. And, that’s what happened this year. Now about the title…

You’ll find empty thrones everywhere.

In villages, cities, states, nations, continents, for lack of leadership. One of those thrones just might have your name on it.

You just have to take pause as you read about the Duke and Duchess relinquishing their thrones and positions of royalty.

Who owns the condition of your neighborhood, your city? Who owns the condition of your country? Who owns the condition of your culture?

Do we have a future of empty thrones?

Why are things the way they are? Be-

With elections this fall, perhaps there’s a position waiting for you! There are countless non-profits who might need your help if you ASKED. To all those who stepped up and made the 2020 Mat Su Plunge a great success this year, we again say THANK YOU for making a difference.

Stay in touch with Mat Su Sertoma!

Like us on Facebook!

POLITICS / OPINION

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

PAGE 6

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Contributed by Jessica Wright Many people are blaming the legislature’s biding caucus rule. I agree that we have to abolish it for the sake of our voice within the legislature body. The rule forces the legislators to think twice before they vote. If they don’t vote the way their caucus wants it, they could end up losing staffs and losing leadership committee positions. This is apparently a way to regulate the legislators, because under the binding caucus rule, they cannot vote freely according to their conscious and properly represent their constituents.

It happened when then State Senator Mike Dunleavy was serving in District E in 2017. He stood his ground and voted against HB 57 to protect dividend and ended up with losing staff. Needless to say, he felt discourage for not being able to represent his district, so he ended up running for Governor.

It happened last year during the final vote for HB 2001(F) in the State Senate. All but three state senators voted to take our dividends to fund the bloated budget. This year, these three state senators (Lora Rainbold, Shelley Hughes, Mike Shower) were also targeted because of this very subjective rule, cutting the staffs as well as losing the leadership committee positions by shuffling them in the closet, and not allowing them to participate in their leadership positions. Their power to represent their districts were greatly reduced and their voice can’t be heard properly since other legislators are running the shows.

Get this, Senator John Coghill now has seven staff, pay at $60,000-$80,000 for only 90 days of work each, plus benefits. That’s $420,000+ cost per session for Alaska. Senator Bert Stedman has six staff, $360,000+ cost per session for Alaska, resulting from the cutting staffs of those three state senators. That’s another government waste, I think every legislator should have at least two staff members, no more than three for leadership.

On March 5th, 2020 , the news from “mustreadalaska” indicates that AKLEG has put House Representative of District 10, David Eastman, to “time-out corner”; meaning he’s not allowed to

fully participate the legislature session.

They said he violated some rules: not sitting down during the session and submitting the surprised bill (antiabortion). According to the caucus rule, he’s supposed to counsel with its fellow caucus members first. Just prior to that, Representative Eastman unsuccessfully submitted Amendment 1 on House HB 205 (F), which is to return the full dividends to the people.

Our current AKLEG has no tolerance towards its own member against their big government agenda. The recent year, AKLEG has been anxiously engaged with PFD thefts during the Walker Administration, and now the they have fighting against the Dunleavy Administration. They practice shady binding caucus rule to regulate its own members. AKLEG is undermining the democracy for shutting down its own member.

You might think this is absurd to have such rule exist in our country considering the United States is the leader of the free world. Believe or not, we are the only state legislature practices the biding caucus rule in our country. It’s a mockery of our democracy. Normally, I would only blast the binding caucus rule. But I know the problem is not the binding caucus rule, but the legislators who made the rule and legislators who support the rule for their advantage so they could hide behind the rule and claim their hands are tied.

By the way, when did AKLEG become such a law binding institution? In the past, they passed bills like HB57 or SB26 which took 1/2-2/3 of our PFD. I don’t think it has anything to do with the binding caucus rule. It seemed to me they were willfully passed the bills in spite of the gravity of the bills. For each legislator, he/she can choose to comply with the state statutory and give the people their full PFD like the way it has been the last 40 years or take it from the people and give to the lobbyists to spend on their programs. When it comes down to it, it’s a simple black and white choice: for the government or for the people.

President Reagan said in an interview, “...people keep looking for the government for the answers. Government is the problem.” Looking back, our legislature

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Contributed by Mike Widney It’s really quite simple.

We know the games that have been played for years down in Juneau. We know exactly what that’s gotten us.

We know the politicians that want to preserve the status quo, that don’t have the intestinal fortitude to make a stand and not back down, no matter what.

The other thing we know is that District 10 voters sent a different kind of politi-

Contributed by Susie Fletcher, Save The PFD Former Governor Jay Hammond forewarned us that the threat to the permanent fund would come from government overspending.

The Alaska State House now claims that by paying us our full, statutory PFD, they would be endangering the fund.

They are liars. They have recklessly overspent the share of the money that

cian to Juneau in 2016. He didn’t come to play games and maintain the status quo that has facilitated the disaster we now face, he came to fight! Fight for his constituents against the entrenched special interests and their lackey politicians. And not a minute to soon either!

Folks, let’s face it, we are losing big time because of “go along to get along” politicians, and I’m not just talking about the traitorous RINOs. We all have to take a hard look at our representatives and make a judgement call.

“We The People” have entrusted them with to provide government services, and we now have a fiscal crisis.

They have chosen to “fix” the problem that THEY created by stealing OUR SHARE to continue overspending with!

We MUST BE THE MILITANT RING that Governor Hammond said would rise up in defense of the fund and our shares that we receive directly in the form of a dividend!

has created huge problems for us.

They passed bills like SB 91 or SB26 which allows the criminal run free, and the private sector got destroyed, and Alaskans haven’t get paid of their full dividends the last four years. As to date, our state owe us each person $9,877 ($6,707+$3,170) of PFD from 20162020. That’s close to $50,000 for a family of 5. Even though we are coming out of the recession, our economy is still feeble because our legislature is keen to keep the government programs going and not willing to cut the budget.

The way they grow the government is turning Alaska into a welfare state, which is only going to hurt the people and private sectors.

Sure, the legislature members can blame the existing biding caucus rule and claim, “The Devil made me do it.”

In reality, they can abolish the rule all together by not entering into such unlawful agreement, but they choose to practice this biding caucus rule so they push their agenda.

Alaskans, I hope you wake up and realize how urgent it is for us to fix our legislature by participating coming election. Are we going to neglect the elections in August and November like we did the past or are we going to get out and vote? Like it or not, the binding caucus AKLEG will continue to take our PFD and turn our state into a Socialist welfare state unless we vote them out.

Vote, Alaska if you want to protect your PFD and get your $10,000 (per person) back. AKLEG needs to follow the law and give us our full statutory PFD, not POMV reduced PFD and get slashed again because some how our PFD has to pay for the government expenses and for what $2.7 billion going from our earnings to a un protected spend at will Government (UGF) General Fund with 71% of our operating budget going to Health and Social Services… and no dollars being transferred to the people’s PFD dividend despite the governor’s request.

Remember, AKLEG has no right to take our PFD because changing the PFD formula from Alaska State Constitution without a vote of the people should not be allowed. Time to clean up the House (and the Senate)!!!!!

In my district, District 8, we have concluded that our representatives are not the fighters we need at this critical juncture and we are supporting challengers to both our incumbent legislators. They aren’t in the RINO camp, but they are warriors. And with the beatings we have taken lately, nothing less than warriors will do!

That’s why I urge District 10 conservatives to re-elect the best legislator in Juneau to another term! We’re sending reinforcements!

We’re counting on David Eastman’s principled leadership to be there to show the way to these fresh legislators we hope to elect.

This legislature has been nothing if not haughty and brazen in the disregard they have shown towards the will of “We The People”. WE MUST put them in their place ! WE MUST turn out the vote in 2020 and trounce these lawbreakers at the ballot box!

“NO CONFIDENCE!” is our message to the Alaska State House! NO CONFIDENCE!

that, “Eating rocks may lead to broken teeth.” Also for the children, “Remove plastic before eating.” on the wrapper of a fruit roll-up snack.

Contributed by Marilyn Bennett Today, we are being bombarded with constant warnings. We have warnings everywhere. Some seem just silly, such as, “Never use a lit match to check fuel level” Or the label on my container of Pam says, “Do not spray into eyes or near open flame.”

But then again, after just being at the Wearable Art Show in Palmer, I witnessed three young ladies banging pressurized paint cans on the runway during their dance routine. One of the cans exploded and rained spray paint all over the runway. I don't believe the spray can warned against such use and doubt that a warning on the can would

have prevented this event, as no one reads the warnings.

Many of the warnings we do see are almost as silly or can be scary, such as, “For external use only!” on a curling iron.

Or suggest bad things to nasty people, “Do not use in shower!” on a hair dryer.

We have all seen movies where someone was murdered by a hair dryer while taking a bath. Was the warning label put on before or after the movie or murder?

Then there is the warning for the clueless California driver on a cardboard sunshield, “Do not drive with sunshield in place.” Also, I guess this one is to remind moms to tell their children when purchasing a rock set called, Popcorn Rocks,

This one I really think is unnecessary as it seems to be much too large for even clueless people to mistake it for something to put in your mouth. “Do not use orally.” on a toilet bowl cleaning brush.

Perhaps, the label maker was just a wise-guy.

Now many of these are fun to read, however, there are more serious warnings out there in our brave, new 2020 World.

The latest from the “Masters of the Universe Twitter Monitors”. They are testing putting warning labels on tweets from politicians and world leaders that do not agree with the their ideas. The warning would say, “Harmfully Misleading” or, CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

POLITICS / OPINION Contributed by Sen. Shelley Hughes & Steve Cinelli We find ourselves locked in yet another year of the fiscal crisis. While solving the budget gap merits the most serious discourse, it has to date been characterized by prejudice and focus on just two aspects by most legislators: oil taxes and PFD reductions.

Scrambling to preserve every penny in the budget, the treasury will be depleted shortly. Upcoming decisions will determine our future and fortunes. Now is the time for the most consequential debate since the permanent fund’s creation.

This matter requires Alaskans’ utmost attention. The silent majority in Alaska must wake up and engage. To avoid trouble, we had better.

In June 2014, oil prices began a precipitous drop from over $100 down to $50 per barrel. In a mere eight months our most significant economic driver lost half its value. Lay-offs, deficit spending, recession and population decline followed.

Perhaps the most substantial event was the diversion of a portion of the PFD away from the people, an action that has affected every Alaskan. Despite obvious warnings, these events caught

Contributed by Joe Ford I unintentionaly caught some of murky “never give a straight answer” Murkowski's empty oratory the other day. Her annual homage to placate the local plebes was infecting the airwaves.

It sounded like the suits in Juneau swallowed it gleefully in their competition to be the biggest suck-up.

I found myself asking myself, “Why is this talking points blowhard representing us?”

The reason became obvious to me almost immediately.

She fits right in.

Right in with the self-serving 'public servant' pretenders congregating in D.C. and Juneau and 49 other gatherings in gaudy architecture strewn across this country claiming to be hard at work legislating to serve their constituents.

Apparently, our definitions of constituent have diverged.

You're supposed to be working for us…

Oh, that's right, the supreme kangaroos determined that corporations are people too.

To look at the results of their work you'd be forgiven if you figured the constituents they are working so hard to serve, the ones benefitting most from their efforts, look to be the corporate creeps funding their malfeasance and not the working stiffs they purport to care

WARNINGS? CONT. (PAGE 6) “Twitter community reports have identified this tweet as violating the community policy or harmfully misleading information. This tweet's visibility will be reduced.”

Alaskans by surprise. Rather than responding to this prudently, Alaska chose abdication and ambivalence.

Six years later, we are still paralyzed by division and misinformation.

The prevailing arguments have been prosecuted by insatiable special interests and myopic political idealists.

Most legislators appear to be surprised that the pragmatic minds of Alaskans are reluctant to embrace their views.

These legislators fail to grasp they have not offered an efficacious solution.

Those few who are beholden to government spending contend that their interests are indispensable. Clearly if government spends just one more dollar, all our ills will be cured. Those who simply see cutting government as the counterpoint have failed to develop persuasive arguments and underestimate the considerable political influence of their antagonists.

Unleashing our sovereign wealth would certainly solve our short-term problems. As of December 31, 2019, the Alaska Permanent Fund value was $66.9 billion. That’s a lot of money, but if history tells us anything, the legislature has missed few opportunities to squander staggering sums. Only a rube would suggest that it would be wise to allow politicians to be the sole guardian of our treasure.

Promises of salvation through new revenues are equally impotent. While we do not know the details of the final budget, we are indisposed to believe that the deficit will be less than $1.5 billion. Placing a high tax burden on the backs of 730,000 Alaskans is unrealistic.

By simple division, a tax burden of $2,050 per person is untenable. Fellow Alaskans, do you believe that the average working family of four earning $75,000 per year can relinquish $8,200 to government? Few families can spare $685 per month.

Cutting the budget would no doubt solve the fiscal crisis. Oil prices ascended during 2005, and spending exploded in staggering fashion.

Despite claims of draconian cuts, the fact remains that Alaska has spent $14 billion in recent years.

Alaskans elected a majority of legislators who ran on budget restraint, but some softened. The firm conservatives are outnumbered. Sadly, it is doubtful that significant reductions are likely.

So, what is needed now to change the trajectory of our state? It’s something few are discussing. A big part of the answer to our woes – declines in state revenue, job losses, shrinking population, and the impoverishment of our citizens – is increased oil

about in their campaign claims.

OK boomers, you f**ked it up, now fix it.

They're all millionaires. Money is their motivator. They don't give a damn about the rest of us. Our political class sucks. Elites? Please! And not just here, everywhere.

There's still enough of us around, over 24% of the population of this dogforsaken part of the planet, and we had good ideas in the '60s. But then we found cocaine and other shiny baubles.

We're not them. We don't get to vote ourselves raises and premium healthcare packages and tax breaks and free travel and legal fees, and, and, and…

We should have stuck to LSD.

The BS Murky spews; small footprint nukes out in the bush, expedited development of resource extraction infrastructure, old growth trees, let's punch roads in and take 'em out, anywhere there's oil open it, pave it and start pumping it.

These are dreams and the people selling them are dishonest and uninterested in our welfare let alone the survival of our species.

Portraying the expansion of our extraction industries as a positive shows a complete lack of understanding or a willful misdirection in service to corporations and the system that is destroying our habitat.

What about us?

More than 300 million of us here.

Why is an overwhelming majority of that number willing to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to buy into the calculated, scientifically designed, focus group tested idiocy driving this insanity?

Is it a lack of imagination? Fear of change? Our senses sedated? A mindless mob? A bewildered herd?

Are we stupid?

by Aldous Huxley in 1932, people were conditioned at birth to think correctly (No need for warnings).

Now what could go wrong with that idea?

In our country, we have freedom of speech in our constitution. However, I have been reading about people losing their jobs because of having unpopular thoughts that they foolishly broadcasted on social media. I know it is impolite to speak hurtful things to other people, but don't like the new trend of calling out people for “Hate Speech” and thinking it is okay for someone to lose their job because they have unpopular opinions.

In the book “Brave New World” written

When I was a child, I was punished for

They are also considering letting other Twitter users earn points for being a good neighbor and turning in objectionable tweets. We could call those people “Twitter Squealers” or “TattleTelling Twitterers”.

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

It's long past time for a revival and we should not be leaving it to children to be the teachers and show us how.

Can we help?

We should help.

We have to help.

Helping? Helping!?

We should be leading.

We have a debt to settle and time's running short 'cause we're getting old and our habitat is being sold to the highest bidder in this system we were willing participants of. We did more than our share to expand and evolve this consumerism to an art form.

It's bad art.

Burn your wellness books, cancel your gym memberships and cut your credit cards into tiny pieces.

Buy a bike and a shovel. We have some work to do, some wisdom and knowledge to impart.

Higher education was still education at a higher level 50 years ago and a lot of us hid out in those institutions soaking up humanities and liberal arts. Hopefully we came away with something.

Now we need complete and total system change.

Nothing less will do.

saying a bad word in front of my parents My parents felt they had a duty to try to bring their children up to speak in a way that would help them fit into society.

Also to teach them not to bully other kids. Out teachers likewise worked to help children speak and behave properly.

As an adult, what your opinions or beliefs were off the job used to be your business alone. Social media seems to be trying to change that dynamic and wants to become our parent or teacher to help us conform to the world as they see it. Whether they see things the same as I do or not, I do not think they have the right to try to muzzle me or anyone

PAGE 7

production. Unless we turn the tide of production decline, Alaska will no longer exist as we know it. Yes, that’s a blunt statement. It is however, a very true one. Declining oil production is the existential threat we are ignoring.

The silent majority cannot afford to ignore this threat. If Alaskans don’t speak up, households will be heavily burdened with taxes and an everdwindling PFD. A statewide-focused discussion about a responsible spending cap and more oil in the pipeline is critical. This is the first installment in a series of fierce polemics to address the latter: how increased TAPS production will help vanquish our dilemma.

Replanting old ground with untenable crops (high taxes and PFD cuts) is a field destined for a paltry harvest (a weak and damaged economy).

Increasing the volume of oil is the necessary path forward. Wake up and engage if you care about Alaska – and your wallet.

Steven Cinelli is a 25-year Alaskan. He has worked in consulting engineering, spent 10 years in the telecom industry, and retired from the oil industry in 2016.

Senator Shelley Hughes is a 44-year Alaskan. She served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 2012-2016, and currently serves in the Alaska State Senate.

No more tweaking around the edges.

No more minor modifications to appease restless factions that threaten business as usual. We have to be one faction 'cause it's all gotta go. Food, energy,,economics, institutions and the rule of their law obscured by language and loopholes and buried under layers of complexity in a bureaucracy that generates mountains of paper records and clouds of digital detritus.

None of it's fair and it's all designed to allow a few to live fabulously off the efforts of everyone else at the expense of our environment and our sanity.

We have to reject the script we're given by power and money PR people coercing us to honor and adhere to their structures, norms and traditions.

Let's get back to thinking for ourselves 'cause that crap's phony, as phony as Murky's speech of brightness and positivity in our future.

Start where you are.

Change what you're doing.

Get creative. Find fellow travelers and let's ween ourselves off of this destructive way of life. Embrace inconvenience and revel in discomfort. It won't kill ya.

Probably make you stronger, physically and mentally.

Stop being so greedy, self-centered, soft and fluffy.

Remember living?

Come on out, the weather's fine, most people are good and the natural world is fascinating.

else on our own time.

Also, the descriptions of “Dangerous Speech” seems to be getting pretty muddy. I would think that in order for speech to be dangerous it should be about actual physical harm to a person or place. It is hard for me to believe that a politician or world leader would fall into that category. It appears that the intent of the new Twitter warnings are not to save us from the next school shooter or terrorist. The intent seems to be to limit free speech.

Thank goodness I am still free to ignore warning labels.

POLITICS / COMMUNITY

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

PAGE 8

than a video game or Facebook.

Contributed by Kevin McCabe A recent op-ed from a local editor got me thinking about our Declaration of Independence and perhaps the most important and powerful words in that document. “The Governed” or “We the People” grant our consent to be governed. Without our consent, the government ceases to exist. This is fundamental to the Declaration, our Constitution, and our Bill of Rights.

The Alaska Constitution echoes the US Constitution when it says: “All political power is inherent in the people. All government originates with the people, is founded upon their will only and is instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole.”

What is missing from the Alaska Constitution is the follow-on verse in the US Constitution: “– - That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such prin-

Contributed by Fred Kalt As a long-closeted gay Mormon, I know what it feels like to live in fear of harassment and discrimination. I grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and my family had very conservative values.

I was married to a woman for 19 years and had six children. When I came out as gay at the age of 52 and met my partner, I was immediately ex-communicated from the church.

Still, I remain faithful and have found joy in living my life open and true.

I moved to Alaska to work in the canneries in 1974, then was employed as a nurse until I retired. I came out as gay at work and was aware that some people were uncomfortable with me and other gay colleagues.

Contributed by Huhnkie Lee America has this annual tradition around January or February, the State of the Union speech, which originates from the U.S. Constitution Article 2, Section 3, Clause 1. This year, like many other years, we witnessed the division between the Democrats and Republicans in Congress. The question worthwhile to ponder today is, “Is this a good thing?

A country divided?”

ciples and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem mostly likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

WHOA! Is this what the recall Dunleavy rabble are trying to do? Abolish a government they don’t like? They didn’t spend the time to know Dunleavy’s platform when he was running - or maybe didn’t vote - and now they want to recall him; in effect withdrawing their consent because Dunleavy is doing what he said he would do. Can the rest of us, those who support Dunleavy, allow this perversion? Should we let a vocal few, with ties to non-profits, unions or special interests, use this process to alter or abolish our government and remove our duly elected Governor?

It is unfortunate that those who did not vote at all in the last election opened the door for this recall effort. Alaska’s dismal voter turnout makes it easy for outsiders and special interests to take the first steps to abolish our government. Low voter turnout makes it easy because it shrinks the number of people needed on a recall petition (or a voter initiative). The Recall Dunleavy group is emboldened by the relatively low num-

I was also very aware that in Alaska, I could be fired at any time for being gay.

Knowing that I was not protected was a part of my daily life, and I feared for myself and others who could be terminated at any time without explanation.

That’s why I was heartened to hear about three recent Supreme Court cases related to LGBTQ employment discrimination. The Court had a chance to affirm that all LGBTQ people should be able to work hard and support themselves and their families without fear of discrimination.

Many may be shocked to know there is no federal law that provides explicit non-discrimination protections, and Alaska has no express statewide protections against discrimination for LGBTQ people.

If the state cannot do right by LGBTQ people, it becomes even more impor-

emotional in this 5-minute journey of ideas and keep an open mind. We already posted that 2-party system is better than 1-party system. The question is, “Why?” One possible answer lies in the freedom of choices. If there are two political parties, you can choose between the two or you can be independent/undeclared or you can simply decide not to vote, and go apolitical.

A fruitful approach would be to think about other countries. China, for example, has only one party, as it run by a totalitarian regime. Would you rather see America with only one party? That doesn’t sound like a very good idea.

Then, we have this gut feeling that a 2-party system is still better than 1-party system in national politics. So, 2-party system is a good thing.

So, unlike China, America has more ideological choices. It probably is safe to say that both Democrats and Republicans would agree that, freedom is a good thing.

Now, let us look at Korean Peninsula.

Korea is physically and vertically, let alone ideologically, divided into two: North and South. Whether such division in Korea is desirable or not is beyond the scope of this essay, so let us get back to American problem.

Today, we have 2 major parties, Democrats and Republicans. What can we do better than what we are doing today?

At the very least, in this auspicious year of 2020, violence between the 2-party people is not that common in America.

The Left and the Right disagree mostly, but they are civil to each other, 99.99% of the time. And that’s good. So, we can add to the list of things that we know to be true: peace is a good thing.

America is metaphysically, horizontally, and ideologically divided into two: Left and Right. Let us be rational rather than

Now, what would be an ideal system that has two political parties? Let us at least envision, even fantasize, what that ideal polity would look like.

ber of signatures needed. We should all be alarmed by this.

A statement attributed to Thomas Jefferson, but which more accurately came from Irish speaker, politician, lawyer and judge, John Philpot Curran's goes like this: "The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt.”

This statement, in recent centuries, has become “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”

Eternal vigilance includes voting; smart voting. We must be knowledgeable on the issues, candidates and their views on the issues, as well as the political process. When I was growing up, we were told, “Never talk politics or religion at the dinner table.” But during the formation of our great country that is ALL they talked about – at the dinner table, in the pubs and in the pulpits. We need to get back to that ideal. The government is our responsibility and deserves more focus

tant that the Supreme Court and federal government step in to ensure that all people are protected at work, in housing and in public spaces.

I fear that if the Court doesn't do the right thing, more people will take its ruling as encouragement to discriminate against LGBTQ people. We must do all we can to secure these protections.

I still believe that churches are important to the movement and can be a huge help in getting legislation passed.

I am a person of morals and faith, and I believe we are all God’s children.

I interpret the Bible like many others do, to be loving of all people. This makes it hard to understand how religious leaders can sanction discrimination.

I have 17 grandchildren living in Alaska.

One of my grandsons is gay. These protections are not only important for me and my friends, but my family. I love

Next, we know that if there are two parties in a nation, it’s better than having only one party. Is it because diversity is always a good thing? Is it better then, to have as many parties as possible, like the more the merrier?

Well, the truth is that the 2-party system in most countries, that’s a product of political evolution in those countries. It seems that, if you observe the political history of the world, a 2-party system is more like an equilibrium point where different trials and experiments converges toward. It appears that 2-party system is probably the most stable one of all systems. Why? Because the two parties can alternate the hegemony and strike a perfect balance over the time axis.

Some apparently believe the way to express disdain for everything political, as well as for government, is to remove individual consent by not voting. During my campaign, I have heard and witnessed apathy or disinterest many times. I’ve heard: “I am not really political,” or, “I am not sure what district I am in,” and similar sentiments too many times to count. The problem is that low participation gives easy access to those who want to change our country into something most of us may not like. And, by the time we realize what is happening it is too late and we have a socialist paradise where 50 or 60% of our income goes to fund free stuff; or possibly a fundamentalist country, governed by the precepts and dogma of a single religion.

Lack of voter vigilance whether from apathy or low information will get us to those positions faster than any revolution. It will, in fact, abolish the current government; not via an armed insurrection but by a bloodless anonymous insurgency.

Like or dislike Dunleavy, the recall effort sets a dangerous precedent. And if a voter did not vote in Dunleavy’s election, it seems like they have no business signing a petition or voting to abolish his governorship.

living in Alaska, and am grateful that my family chooses to live in Alaska as well. I cherish all our shared time and holidays together. However, if no protections for LGBTQ Alaskans are enacted, I fear that they may choose to leave for states that protect them, and their LGBTQ friends and colleagues. I have seen families split up for this reason, and worry it could happen to mine.

I would like to call on religious conservatives who are hesitant about LGBTQ non-discriminaton protections to spend time with LGBTQ people. I think that may help them realize that we should be treated equally.

God’s biggest concern is us getting along with each other. The first commandment is to love thy brother as thyself. Without caveats. We should take that to heart and treat all people fairly.

Fred Kalt lives in Wasilla and is proud to be a part of the LGBTQ family in Alaska.

And probably, this is the most desirable result and possibly the most stable system. With all the party bickering and verbal mud-slinging, American politics isn’t doing that bad. Especially when compared to foreign countries’ political scenes.

Now, is there then, still some room for improvement in American 2-party system? Probably, there is. As a Republican candidate running for Alaska State Senate District D (Wasilla and its vicinity) Primary, which will be on 8/18/2020, I should be careful when I say things.

But I think I should be open and honest about what my ideas are, because voters have right to know what my agenda is.

Meaning, in America for example, when the political culture becomes too far to the right, the swing voters tend to vote for democratic candidates. Probably that’s what happened in 2008 election, where after eight years of President G.W. Bush, people wanted some novelty of the leftism and voted for President Obama. After eight years of Obamaian liberalism, people missed conservatism and elected President Trump.

If anyone asks me what my vision is as a political candidate, then I will say this, “I believe in communication between the Left and the Right. I want people to mature up and calm down, and learn how to listen, even if it takes considerable patience. And I want people to be able to give the other side a chance to talk. I want people to be able to maintain civility when yes, when Democrats and Republicans are in the same room. I want them to not debate, but to be willing to listen to each other, and even be willing to learn from each other.”

When American culture veers too far to the Left or too far to the Right, Americans do not feel comfortable. The result is the never-ending political pendulum of Left-Right-Left-Right election cycle.

I envision an America where people who disagree would still have a civil conversation, keep an open mind, and think rationally and logically. Is that too much to ask? //:-)

POLITICS / COMMUNITY Contributed by Tom Lamb When it comes to politics and government, put this in your memory bank: People who have political experience have been doing the same thing for years and the insanity is Alaska is in a fiscal crisis.

During the looming fiscal crisis, Governor Murkowski and State Representative Mike Doogan advocated cutting the Senior Longevity Bonus. It was cut, did it stop the fiscal crisis? No. However, it did make it tough for some seniors who were dependent on it.

Remember when the price of oil was sky-high and Governor Palin handed out an extra $1200.00 on top of the $2069.00 PFD? Supposedly the extra $1200.00 was to offset the high cost of energy, but there is a problem: When the PFD drops into bank accounts, substance abuse rises 14% the day after the drop and for 4 weeks after the initial release; it stays at 10% above the average. In summary to Governor Palin’s decisions to add $1200, did it stop the momentum of the impending fiscal crisis? No. Arguably though, it had a negative impact on sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Contributed by Doug Ferguson Recently, much attention has been given to our national vulnerability due to sourcing so many of our high-tech goods from China ranging from electronics to medicines. There is now the realization that this dependency, while taking advantage of cheap labor costs and lack of environmental standards in China and other Asian countries to get low manufacturing costs, creates supply line, product quality and other negative issues. The outbreak of the new coronavirus has also dramatically shown how dependent for critical medicines we are on a country competing against us in every way. This new attention is good, and hopefully will cause the leaders of our industries to rethink about foreign sourcing.

There is another important factor in this sourcing issue that I don't hear anybody talking about in the media (and in most cases it seems, our board rooms!). That is the critical role of communication between the scientists and engineers who develop the products and processes and the manufacturing engineers and other personnel who actually support the production lines. This becomes a very big problem when the development of the product is in the U.S. and the manufacturing line is in China or some other foreign country.

Talk to any engineer involved in developing a new high-tech product whether it be electronic, mechanical, chemical or biological and getting it into production and they will tell you that this process involves many changes to both the product and the manufacturing process before things run smoothly. The

Currently, there is a battle going on in the legislature over the PFD and decreasing it to cover the budget shortfall.

Some argue we need to cut more government and leave the PFD alone. We aren't going to cut government services to where we won't touch the PFD. There is the “Fair Share” crowd that wants to increase oil taxes through an initiative to cover the budget shortfall.

But there is one big problem: The price for a barrel of oil is at $50 a barrel, not $60 a barrel. So their calculation of collecting 1.5-2 billion dollars is incorrect. The fiscal reality is: Distribution and statutes that govern the PFD need to be revisited. Either a state tax on the PFD needs to be implemented or it is deposited into a vested escrow where a hardship withdrawal can be made or at the vested timeline. The vested timeline will weed out those who live here for a short time, collect the PFD and leave.

The PFD distribution has gone from over 400k in 1982 to over 700K today.

As for cutting state services, an example of going too far on budget cuts can be felt by driving the Glenn Highway after a snowfall and seeing the numerous accidents and speeders on the Glenn Highway. The level of road maintenance

term “Engineering Change” or “EC” is a common phrase in the language of a product engineer.

Constant feed back from the manufacturing engineers on problems starting up the actual manufacturing line to the product engineers require changes that interrupt these processes while the EC's are implemented. Also pre-EC'd product may have to be reworked, scraped or dumped and production equipment may require upgrades as the manufacturing line ramps up to its volume objectives.

In the case of a low-tech, potentially high volume product this inefficient product introduction process with all it's EC's, production tweaks and learning curve can be offset by the eventual efficiency of a never changing high volume manufacturing process. Think nails, screws, soaps, paper products and other forms of high volume items. However, most high-tech products have a much shorter life cycle before an improved or new version of the product needs to be introduced. In this case, the cost of time and money spent during this manufacturing introduction phase can often consume a significant part of the product's profit and life cycle.

In addition, a special situation is present in medical product manufacturing where detailed batch and even serialnumbered product records must be kept on all products to meet the U.S. FDA's medical tracking requirements.

Even if the demand for the medical product goes on for many years after the manufacturing process in stabilized, there is a need for constant communication on the performance of these

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

is not adequate. The state needs to raise the state gas tax and resolve issues before it is raised.

First, the 10-cent gas tax in Anchorage and the federal gas tax need to be eliminated. The 10-cent gas tax hinders the state from raising needed transportation/maintenance funds while federal legislators are looking at raising the federal gas tax to cover the Highway Trust Fund debt which technically is bankrupt or to put it in a more general term, insolvent. Moreover and very important, a raise in the federal gas tax will never make it to fixing roads. Putting the gas tax directly into the State of Alaska bank account ensures the money will be spent on road maintenance.

Another area in the budget that needs to be looked at is the state budget that goes to education. When I ran in past school board races in Anchorage, I advocated that the State of Alaska pay the entire school budget with one request: the State of Alaska would control the cost of school construction and maintenance. And school districts would be decentralized, the budget for school maintenance for each school would be set by the superintendent, and costs to run each school would be set by the

processes in order to control quality and report this data to the FDA. Naturally, the ideal situation is where the product development team is located at the same site as the manufacturing line team. All an engineer has to do is get up from his or her desk and walk over to the line and talk to the manufacturing engineer or even the equipment operator and visa versa to find out how things are going and if changes are needed. If changes are required, the engineer making the changes can hand carry prints, procedures and even change hardware over to the line and be involved in the change. In this manner, while change release discipline is still maintained, the two groups are really working as one team to solve problems and get the lineup to speed as efficiently as possible.

Now think how all this has to happen when the one team is in the U.S. and the other is in China! Besides culture, language, and time differences, the transmission of parts and procedures for dealing with EC's, requires that in many cases a product engineering team must actually travel to China to provide the communication necessary. However, when in China (or whatever country the manufacturing resides), this team doesn't have the “walk over to the desk” access to others in the product engineering area they may need if problems come up implementing the change. This problem exists even if there has been a pilot” line at the development site to work out some initial problems.

Of course, a lot of these same logistical problems can also exist if the product development team and the manufacturing team are located in different

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school principal. The decentralization of a school district allows the state to look at needed costs to run each school without a centralized administration. If there are any large cuts to be made in the state budget, a decentralized system will reveal what is needed and what is not.

And last in the fiscal crisis equation is climate change. This year, we are seeing the Bering Sea ice grow and we saw a prolonged cold spell in Alaska. These events contradict the consensus among certain climate scientists that Alaska is warming at an alarming rate and the Bering Sea ice is doomed because of man-made climate change.

Unfortunately, because of a lack of research, investment bankers like Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan Chase feel it is more profitable to invest in carbon credits than natural gas projects, and as such Alaska’s fiscal future has a big question mark hanging over it. It is known that submarine volcanoes create toxic algae blooms which raise the sea surface temperature by 1.5 degrees celsius and is harmful to the marine wildlife and humans. What is not known is how extensive the heating from submarine volcanoes is along the 40 thousand miles of seamounts in the Pacific.

That question mark can be answered with the help of Congressman Don Young by turning Port MacKenzie into a Naval Oceanic Research facility

locations in the U.S. However, here we speak the same native language, can use secure digital communications and don't have to deal with international travel logistics.

Also, and this is a very significant point in my opinion, close communication between product engineers and manufacturing engineers in the long run results in the advancement of technology in general. This is an aspect of technology development few appreciate, other than those directly involved.

Establishing and continuously maintaining product development and manufacturing teams that have learned to work with each other on new products over time is actually a critical technology resource.

With our outsourcing our manufacturing to other countries, especially China, we have been giving up this critical technology resource. When we keep both in the U.S., this technology capability stays in the U.S.!

Hopefully, as I mentioned at the beginning, the current attention to our dependency on China for critical products will change this terrible trend.

Doug Ferguson has spent 40 years as an electrical engineer in the digital electronics industry introducing new technology products and processes into manufacturing here and in Japan including medical products. He is now retired and besides enjoying nature, gardening and writing, also enjoys following technology developments, communications history and politics.

COMMUNITY

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

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MUSK OX FARM CONT. (PAGE 1)

and family won’t care what they look like once they’re warm and toasty! Plus, you can promise them that they won’t always be greeted with negative temperatures and winds that will knock them off their feet. (Better yet, maybe just leave those possibilities out altogether) ONE LAST TIP: Call us before your visit to see what the conditions are. We are more than happy to help you outfit yourselves properly for the day. Don’t forget, it may be calm with clear skies a few miles down the road from us, but windy or snowing heavily here at the farm!

WINTER HOURS (until 5/9/20): Wednesday-Saturday: 12pm-4pm Tours go out at 12:30pm & 2pm $11/adults $9/seniors 65+ $5/children 5+ BOOK ONLINE at www.muskoxfarm.org!

Contributed by Nan Potts The wishes for new risers were granted to the Mat-Su Community Chorus (MCC) with the last minute aid of the Palmer Community Foundation (PCF) and a latent grant from Matanuska Electric Association (MEA).

12850 E Archie Rd. • Palmer 907-745-4151 info@muskoxfarm.org

Like many non-profit organizations who borrow or rent worn performance equipment, it became apparent to the Chorus that it was time for something new.

In the spring of 2019, the Mat-Su Community Chorus submitted a grant application to the Palmer Community Foundation that was awarded in July. This grant, combined with an earlier 2017 grant from MEA, provided the substance for the chorus to purchase a series of new concert risers.

Contributed by Taylor Jordan, Black Birch Books & Curiosities This has been a long winter and as the sun starts peeking out, you will too! We always provide a fun, supportive and safe environment at Black Birch Books & Curiosities to get you where you feel you belong.

Sharing our space is one of the best ways to help independent sellers get a leg up if they don’t have a brick and mortar business. We exclusively host Alaskan authors, artists, musicians and craftsman. We also love education, training and positive community connection! If you want to learn a

skill or have one to teach, we would love the opportunity to host you. Supporting local is what we do!

We have so many amazing things happening at Black Birch Books & Curiosities over the next couple of months! Come visit us at 390 N. Main Street in Downtown Wasilla, watch our Facebook for the events or look at the community events calendar in Make A Scene Magazine!

Attend an event! Read a book! Pet Dante, The Bookstore Dog! The curiosities of Black Birch Books is awaiting your attention!

The fundraising for this project began nearly six years ago and the pursuit of grants commenced.

Competition proved fierce. However, with perseverance and the support of the community, these two generous grants were secured.

Research for the make and model of risers was completed and the race was on to procure and have them arrive in Alaska in time for our Christmas concerts.

Transportation from Minnesota to Alaska was the next hurdle, overcome with a private donation.

In October, the risers arrived in Anchorage. Lastly, the need for accessible, local storage and transportation was answered by a

2019 grant awarded by MEA. A trailer to transport the new risers was purchased from White Spruce Trailer Sales. All of our riser wishes came true.

Our new Wenger risers were first showcased at the Chorus’ 2019 Christmas concerts in Palmer.

If you missed them, this April in Willow and May in Wasilla, you will find the chorus performing the inspirational music of Americana and showing off the new concert risers. In order not to be stingy with our gift, these risers with also be made available for use by non-profit organizations throughout the Palmer community.

For the Mat-Su Community Chorus, 2019 was a year of granted wishes.

MCC is very grateful for the support of MEA and PCF, and for their dedication to the wellbeing of our local community — a grand finale.

Thank you!

Palmer Community Foundation’s (an affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation) goal is to support projects that enhance the quality of life for Palmer area residents, addressing intimate needs while working toward long-term improvements. They are continually listening and learning about what is important to us.

You’ll find them online at www. palmercf.org.

MEA’s Charitable Foundation awards annual grants to local programs. For more information go to www.mea.coop

PETS & ANIMALS

Contributed by Judy, Clear Creek Cat Rescue Beautiful, little girl maybe as much as a year old, Anora

has a fluffy, cloud-soft coat.

Anora is a little lovey dove who loves to cuddle. She is her humans' best friend.

She can live with other cats, but her dream home would be just one other mellow cat or just her and her people. She would love to be some sweet older child's companion and loved one.

And if they would play with her and take her outside in summer for fun in the yard, that would be wonderful.

She's a darling and deserves a kind loving forever family.

In Wasilla. Call 980-8898.

Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates Traditionally, in the past, when an animal shelter attempted to find a home for a dog, they experienced some disadvantages. Often, these facilities were in out of the way areas that were not easily accessible to the general public. Also, the shelter staff lacked the expertise to help match dogs with the appropriate family, dooming the chances that the dog had of remaining in the home.

Now, many shelters bring their adoptable animals to off-site adoption locations, such as pet supply stores or mega-adoption events. In addition, shelter staff now has access to training opportunities that enhance their understanding of dog behavior and the use of positive training strategies.

There are many temperament assessments that can offer the staff a window into the personality of each dog’s strengths and challenges. However, it is wise to consider the validity of a temperament assessment in the envi-

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This beautiful husky mix is only 7 months old and yet finds himself in a situation where he soon will be without a home. For some reason he is not getting along with the family and their great dane mix. The family feels he would be better suited to a home with teenagers or adults and might be happier as the only dog in the household.

Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates

ronment of a shelter experience. The loud, smelly, frightening characteristics of shelter life do not bring out the best in a dog. Also, a dog’s breed should not be a deciding factor in evaluating his behavior; but rather, all dogs should be considered as individuals.

Shelter life is very stressful for animals and although the dog is safe and cared for, his emotional well-being is not adequately cared for as it should be through no fault of the shelter staff.

They do the best they can under the circumstances.

Shelters make decisions about a dog based on the animal’s behavior and temperament, not how long he has been at the shelter or a lack of space or exercise. Not everyone, myself included, believes that temperament evaluations are fair or necessarily accurate. I believe that these other factors certainly should be considered.

The results of these temperament tests aren’t simply about determining if a dog is “good” or “bad”, but focus on

Please e-mail Alaska Animal Advocates at akaarescue@hotmail.com or call Angie at (907) 841-3173.

characteristics that might be unacceptable to some families and tolerable by others. So, these tests should offer a picture of the type of dog and the family decides if they are willing to deal with this personality. All dogs should be observed for at least three days to see how they react to the stress of the shelter environment.

The temperament test determines whether a dog likes to be petted; is frightened by noise; guards food or toys; enjoys interactions with people; how he reacts to young children, babies and other animals; is easy to arouse and accepts touching, among other things.

Families are then matched to dogs that will fit in with their lifestyle. Learning more about the dog that the family is hoping to adopt will hopefully prevent the dog being returned to the shelter.

It would be wonderful if shelters could provide training opportunities for the dogs that they adopt out and help these families to recognize and deal with behavior problems.

COMMUNITY

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

Contributed by Matt Rowley

our disabled military veterans.

Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show March 27, 2020 - 12PM March 28-29, 2020 - 10AM Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show Menard Sports Center 1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla Cost: FREE Military, FREE Children (Ages 0-12), FREE on Sunday for Everyone, $5 General

You don’t want to miss the educational presentation by the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center on Sunday morning, from 10:00am until 12:30pm. They will be there with an ambassador bird or two, explaining their mission to care for injured, orphaned, and sick wild birds.

In Alaska, we are living in the outdoor recreational mecca of the world. As the first major outdoor show of the year, the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show is just what you need to kick-start your fabulous Alaskan summer season.

Everything to help you get the most out of your time in the Last Frontier will be under one roof at the Curtis Menard Sports and Recreation Center in Wasilla on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 27th – 29th. You’ll find everything from ATVs, boats, RVs, rafting trips, fishing charters, raffles, outdoor toys and sporting goods, to informational seminars presented on a wide variety of outdoor subjects by the outdoor experts. Alaskan authors will be at the show signing books and discussing their knowledge and experiences.

While you’re there enjoying the show, don’t miss the new, large outdoor food truck rally, where you’ll find a gathering of all the best food trucks of Southcentral Alaska. Also new this year, there will be a silent auction, sponsored by Project Healing Waters. You’ll be able to bid on charter trips, lodging stays, sporting goods, artwork and even an African hunting safari and an African photo safari! One hundred percent of all auction proceeds go to provide fly fishing and other related benefits for

Some of the other must-see seminar presentations throughout the show include: “Electrical Systems for Off-Grid Living” by 907 Solar “Tips for Catching Salmon” by Fishtale River Guides “Innovative Pet Care Practices” by Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center “Expert Advice on Successful Halibut Fishing" by Bottom Line Charters “Purchasing Land for Recreational or Residential Purposes” by the Department of Natural Resources “Tips for Selecting the Firearm that is Right for You” by Accurate Advantage “When, Where & How to Catch Different Species of Fish in the Kenai River Fishery” by Kenai River Drifter’s Lodge “Understanding the New Positive Board of Fisheries Changes for Salmon Fishing in Northern Cook Inlet” by the Mat-Su Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission

Check the Show website at www. matsuevents.com for the complete schedule of these and other educational seminars.

The Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show has been expanded this year with double the space and double the vendors from prior years, including dozens of first-time exhibitors. Show admission is always free for military personnel and their dependents, and it is free for kids 12 and under. From 10:00am to

11:00am on Sunday, admission is free for everyone, courtesy of Home Solutions Real Estate. And of course, parking is free.

This Outdoorsman Show promises to be the event of the year that you don’t want to miss. Come on out to meet the experts, grab some tasty food, and to stock up on the advice and the gear to help you enjoy life! We hope to see you there!

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