Contributed by Edie Grunwald From vision to reality, Holly Gittlein creates a stunning sculpture as a dedication to David Grunwald at Academy Charter (K-8 School) in Palmer, Alaska.
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It’s Holly’s first kinetic piece – at thirteen feet high, it will attract and reflect light in front of the school - a trinity with the essence of life. It’s a huge burning flame, which she calls “Infinite Flame.” Holly is an accomplished Alaskan artist; creative and magical. David Grunwald, referred to as “our David,” did not return home the evening of November 13, 2016. David’s 1994 Ford Bronco was discovered the next day, torched and abandoned.
ART ON FIRE 2017
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VFAA ANNUAL ARTIST RETREAT
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For nineteen days, hundreds of people searched for sixteen year old David in the bitter cold weather. The Alaska State Troopers found David’s body on Dececember 2, 2016. Four people were arrested for his brutal murder. One person was arrested for hindering and tampering. Barbara Gerard, the principal at Academy Charter, and her staff are excited to have this amazing piece of art placed front and center at their school. As Holly has been working on the sculpture, she talks to it and calls it David. One of David’s 7th and 8th grade teachers, Mr. Reilly, smiled at the circle of flames at the height of the sculpture, comparing it to David’s hair that he liked to poof up. Mrs. Molina shared a humorous story about how the students often “pull a David”. Evidently, he attended a different math class from his assigned math class, to see how long it would take the teacher to notice him in the class.
David touched many people and had many friends. He was full of ideas and funny stories; he was a joy to have around. David had a serious side to him – he cared deeply about his faith in God, his family, girlfriend and friends. On May 15th, there will be an unveiling of the sculpture at the school’s end-of-year picnic. If you drive by the school after May 15th, you’ll see this stunning sculpture. Thank you Holly for your hard work. It’s evident you put your heart and soul into it. David would have really liked it. Please visit Holly Gittlein’s website: www.hollygittlein.com
COMMUNITY Contributed by Abby Lampley The Rotary Running Dead 5K 6/3/2017 – 10AM Rotary International Menard Sports Center 1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla Cost: $5 Kids (8 & Under), $10 Youth (9-18), $25 Adults (19+) Zombies are taking over the Menard Center on June 3, 2017! Gather your family and friends and join us for the 2nd Annual Rotary Running Dead 5K.
Contributed by Hillary Saffran It’s Never Too Late 6/10/2017 – 7PM Hillary Saffran Top Drawer 10927 W Big Lake Rd. Big Lake Tickets: $5 or $2+2 Canned Foods You once dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Or actress. Or artist. Perhaps you planned to become president or write a novel someday. Then someone said to be realistic. Being a comedian or filmmaker isn’t practical. One out of a thousand make it or you were told that it wouldn’t pay the bills. So you listened. You decided to be “practical”. You chose something “stable and more secure” to do instead. This choice, or series of choices, has led you to where you are now. Unfulfilled. Suffering from the torment of regret. You know that you were meant for more. Do you stay awake at night feeling trapped in your job or business because it pays the bills, but it’s not really want you want to be doing? Do you feel trapped because you can’t seem to find a way out? Have you given up on having any of your dreams come true? Want to have hope again? Want to break free? You can do more than just “survive” to meet your obligations. You can choose to live a fulfilled life.
Registration starts at 10am and the 5K race starts at 11am. There will also be a Kids’ Fun Run happening at 12pm. This event is open to all ages! Prizes will be awarded to the most creative costume, largest family team, largest corporate team and more! Registration fees are $5 for kids (Ages 8 and under), $10 for youth (Ages 9-18) and $25 for adults. Online registration at www.matsurotary5k.com will be open until June 2, 2017 at 3pm.
Actions will lead you toward your goals or away from them. Due to mindset, oftentimes people will procrastinate or self-sabotage an inevitable success, then experience a less than desirable result, and feel that they are living out a self-fulfilling prophecy of dissatisfaction and more unsuccessful attempts at change. I’m here to tell you that failure + positive action + not quitting = success. Are you reading this with the aid of an electric light in the room? Thomas Edison attempted thousands of ways on his journey of inventing the light bulb. He stated, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Time to dream again! I am not telling anyone to jump off a financial cliff, be irresponsible and quit their job tomorrow to embark on an emotional tailspin. What I am saying is to give yourself permission to dream again. Take chances on an activity that brings more joy into your life; perhaps it will consist of a different employment path or entrepreneurship after all. The answers will reveal themselves over time. Perhaps you will finally sign up for that pottery class or singing lessons you’ve been putting off for two years. Maybe it’s time to volunteer for your local community theater or take that college class that interests you. Will you join the hiking group you recently heard about? If you are in need of a bit of fun and inspiration, come on down to the Top
All proceeds go to support local high school senior scholarships. “I survived the Rotary Running Dead 5K!” t-shirts are available to the first 200 people to pre-register. Join the fun today! The Rotary Running Dead 5K will be an apocalyptic event that is not to be missed! For more information and event details, please visit www. matsurotary5k.com or find us on Facebook.
Drawer at the corner of the Parks Hwy and Big Lake Road on June 10th at 7:00pm for the show “It’s Never Too Late.” Tickets are $5.00 or $2.00 if you bring two canned goods for donations to the Big Lake Food Bank. Join Hillary Saffran for an evening of fun, entertainment and inspiration. For more information call 707-7556. “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” - George Eliot Hillary Saffran is the star of her own living room and kitchen, where the acoustics are better than the bathroom. She is an entertainer and best-selling author among her five closest friends.
Wasilla Centennial Block Party 5/20/2017 – 11AM City of Wasilla Downtown Wasilla FREE Event Celebrate Wasilla’s 100th anniversary with our Centennial Block Party on Saturday, May 20th from 11am-4pm. Event is open to the public and admission is free. Enjoy vendors, wagon rides, family activities and more. Kick off the summer season with us and learn more about Wasilla’s history. Participate in historic games and add your piece of history to Wasilla’s story. Let’s celebrate Wasilla’s heritage in style! Chad Carpenter will be here to sign autographs and talk more about his upcoming movie. There will also be a sidewalk chalk drawing competition for children and adults (weather permitting). So come on out and bring the whole family for fun in downtown Wasilla. For more information or to get involved as a vendor or volunteer, contact the Dorothy Page Museum and 373-9071 or visit www. cityofwasilla.com/museum. For a full calendar of events for Wasilla’s Centennial visit us online at www.cityofwasilla.com/centennial
COMMUNITY Contributed by Erik Christensen 3rd Annual Alaska Vintage Motorcycle Show 6/10/2017 – 12PM Alaska Vintage Motorcycle Show Matanuska Borough Building’s Grass Courtyard 350 E Dahlia Ave. Palmer FREE Admission, $10 per Bike Entry Vintage motorcycle enthusiasts from across Alaska are digging out their winter builds, getting ready to bring them to Palmer on Saturday, June 10th from noon to 5PM for the third annual Alaska Vintage Motorcycle Show (AVMS). AVMS is where all the cool old motorcycles come out of hiding and like-minded individuals gather to share
Contributed by Denise Little Merle Haggard Tribute Concert 5/19/2017 – 8PM Ben & Noel Haggard Menard Sports Center 1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla Tickets: $49 General, $99 VIP Ben and Noel Haggard will be doing a tribute to the great legend, Merle Haggard, at the Menard Centre in Wasilla on May 19, 2017. Merle Haggard’s sons will be performing a lot
stories about their common passion. Participants and show-goers alike make new and lasting connections that can only happen at a vintage motorcycle show. This one day “show and shine” event expects to attract over 75 vintage motorcycles, some dating as far back as 1929, and in various stages of restoration. There are no classes and the only judging is people’s choice – which is one reason for the show’s growing popularity with vintage bike builders and collectors. The show’s “unique, easy-going atmosphere” is another. As returning AVMS participant John Tatham shared, “The bikes are not just on static display; they are started and demonstrated, making the entire show much more
of his old and well-known songs, as well as a few of their own.
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dynamic and hands-on.” Along with showcasing a huge selection of vintage bikes, AVMS features live music, food and this year, an Elvis impersonator to entertain the crowds.
Entry registration closes Monday, June 5th, 2017. For the latest updates, follow us on Facebook @ palmervintagemotorcycleshow.
The family-friendly event is free to attend and will again be held on the grass courtyard of the Matanuska Borough Building in downtown Palmer, right next to the Palmer City Alehouse. Vintage enthusiasts wishing to enter their 1982 or older motorcycles pay just $10 per entry with all proceeds supporting Valley ABATE, an organization that promotes motorcycle awareness and education. Vintage motorcycle entry registration is available online at www. alaskavintageshow.com/#registration.
way of life and that was reflected in the songs he sang, which Ben and Noel will be performing.
Merle spent a year or so in Alaska back in 1980 and this is a bit of a homecoming for the boys. It is exciting that they will be playing a tribute to him here!
Ben and Noel are both rising musicians in their own right and both traveled with Merle, playing in his band and helping out with the shows on the road. They are excited to be coming to Alaska to play for all Merle’s fans and we are excited to have them!
Merle is well known for songs like “Mama Tried”, “Okee From Muskogee” and “Fightin’ Side of Me”, along with many others. He was very much for America, the American people and
The show starts at 8pm on May 19th. Tickets are available now at brownpapertickets.com and are $99 for VIP seating in front of the stage (these will include a meet and greet
with the artists) and $49 for general seating. Get your tickets now and don’t miss this great concert with Ben and Noel Haggard, sons of the great Merle Haggard!
EDUCATION PRESS RELEASE The Alaska State Fair received so many amazing scholarship applications this year that they increased the awards! The Fair originally planned to award seven scholarships totaling $7,000 (which was up significantly from the $4,250 awarded last year). But after reviewing the applications, the scholarship committee unanimously
Contributed by Michelle Overstreet The MY House drop-in center offers a hand up to homeless youth ages 14-25, and a cornerstone of youth empowerment is education. Through a partnership with NineStar Education and Employment, programs employ homeless youth who need to work to support themselves while completing high school or another job training program by offering flexible work schedules. MY House owns two for-profit businesses: Gathering Grounds Café that trains youth for
approved an increase to nine scholarships totaling $8,000. Congratulations to the 2017 scholarship recipients:
First Place - $2,500: Annie Kessler of Colony High School Second Place - $1,500: Summer Putman of Juneau-Douglas High School Third Place - $1,000: Lily Anna Sessom of Colony High school Honorable Mention - $500: John F. Jones
of IDEA Honorable Mention - $500: Ruby Woodings of Palmer High School Honorable Mention - $500: Alexa Barfield of Palmer High School (photo not available) Honorable Mention - $500: Fisher Dill of Frank A. Degnan High School Honorable Mention - $500: Micah L. Johnson of IDEA Honorable Mention - $500: McKenna Dinkel of Mat-Su Central Home School (photo not available)
The Fair received a total of forty applications this year from students
food service including barista skills, baking, sandwich and soup making and Steamdriven Boutique which is a steampunk-themed thrift shop.
program in social work. We hope that she will consider joining our staff someday, she is a wonderful, caring person.
This year, six MY House clients are graduating from four different Valley schools! Another eight are completing GED testing, with two who have completed. This lays the foundation for continuing education and vocational training, and builds self-esteem for clients who may have been led to believe that they are not capable.
Another client completed a certificate program at UAA to be a pharmaceutical technician, and is working for the State of Alaska’s Project Hope, teaching police and other public responders to effectively use the narcan kits that can save an addict from an opiate overdose.
A (former) client graduated from college at St. Cloud University and received acceptance to a master’s
In addition to the college graduates, we have eight clients attending college and four serving in different branches of the military. The foundation that a GED or graduation offers builds confidence
all over the state. While not everyone could receive a scholarship, all applicants did get two free admissions to the 2017 fair. Fair scholarships are open to all Alaska junior and senior high school students who plan to attend college or vocational school. Applicants submit a cover letter, extracurricular resume, letter of recommendation, photo and an essay or creative project. The Fair will make a call for 2018 scholarship applications early next year.
and leads to completion of education in other areas! If you would like to support programs that empower homeless youth to graduate or get their GED, consider visiting Gathering Grounds Café for lunch or coffee and a monster cookie. Or maybe you’re doing summer cleaning and have items to donate to the thrift shop - we take adult and young adult clothing and household items. If you need information please call 373-HELP (4357)
HEALTH & WELLNESS Contributed by Dori Cranmore Scientific name: Taraxacum officinale. The word dandelion comes from “dent de lion” which is French meaning lion’s tooth, referring to the jagged leaves that resemble lions’ teeth. The leaves are considered to be one of the most nutritious greens available. The greens are high in potassium, which creates a natural diuretic action that helps relieve water retention and bloating associated with PMS. Every part of the dandelion can be used: the root, leaves and flower. The above ground parts, i.e. the leaves,
Contributed by Tara Workman, Chiropractic Physician As today’s smartphones get smarter, our society’s health gets weaker. The effect of technology overuse is affecting our health at an astonishing rate. From developmental delays, poor posture and ADD/ADHD, technology overuse is leading to a new generation of ill health outcomes. Today’s adolescents are constantly over-stimulated and always connected to their devices, commonly without any connection to their culture. Adults are more overstressed and sedentary than ever before. In fact, 83% of professional workers check their emails after work, 66% take their technology with them
Contributed by Dr. Anna Altair Gluten is a protein that must be broken down in digestion to be used as fuel in our bodies. Many humans cannot break down the proteins because their stomach acids are too weak to get the job done. When this happens, the long chain proteins are simply excreted, and some of them escape into the blood stream. The blood cells are alert to notice “foreign” substances that are not supposed to be in there. So the blood deals with these “foreigners” as best it can. The blood makes antigens to combat the foreign long chain proteins. Over time, an auto-immune disease is noticed and labeled.
flower and stem are used as a laxative, for healthy circulation, blood vessel cleanser and strengthener, rheumatism and arthritis. The root is the most sought after part of the plant however. The bitterness of the root is used to stimulate digestion and secretion of digestive juices especially bile. Bile is made in the liver and ensures emulsification of fats for absorption and the elimination of fat-soluble toxins from the body. Bile also helps maintain the good flora in your intestines. Dandelion has been used for centuries in Chinese and European cultures for combating liver disease. Up until the 1800s, people would pull the grass out of their yards and let the wild beneficial
on vacation and more than 50% report sending emails while having a meal with family or friends. With the stress of keeping up with work, 73% of employees worry that they will be at a disadvantage at work if they disconnect or do not instantly respond to emails and messages (Goldsmith, 2016). As workers become more stressed out and fatigued, they present to chiropractors with higher rates of postural decline, which affects their productivity and leads to common musculoskeletal complaints such as headaches and migraines, neck pain, tightness of the neck and shoulders, and low back pain. Postural decline at work results in increased absenteeism, burnout, a decrease in productivity and lower job satisfaction. Over-connected children aren’t much better. Researchers found that four of every five students had significant mental and physical distress, panic, confusion and extreme isolation when forced to unplug from technology for
Here are several labeled autoimmune diseases we have come to know in our society: Osteo-Arthritis (OA), Psoriatic-Arthritis (PA), Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Muscular Sclerosis (MS), Glomerular Nephritis, Diabetes and there are many others. These are in fact, digestive disorders. Unfortunately, the “symptoms” of disease are treated with drugs, instead of treating the cause of the disease - which is undigested food. I strive to get to the root cause of a problem and change patterns rather than treat symptoms. For instance, if a person is constantly having flu-like symptoms, try eliminating all dairy for a month to dry up the sinuses instead of giving drugs. See what happens during that time. If the mucous dries up, the person is intolerant to dairy. The
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“weeds” take over, like dandelion, chickweed and chamomile. Dandelions have one of the longest flowering seasons of any plant. The seeds of the dandelion “puffball” can be carried up to five miles from their origin. The dandelion is high in many minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. Also high in electrolytes and contains more betacarotene than carrots. Dandelion is shown to have more vitamin B, C and D than most other vegetables. If you have gallbladder obstruction or gallstones, contact your physician before use.
resembles the moon and the seeds resemble the stars. So before getting rid of such a useful plant, try making a salad or a stir fry with the greens. Or roast the root as a coffee substitute. ‘Dandy Blend’ actually makes a coffee substitute that tastes just like coffee without the caffeine and acid. This information is for educational purposes and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or replace the advice of your health care provider. Dori Cranmore is a registered nurse and owner of All About Herbs, Inc. at 4621 E. Palmer Wasilla Hwy. 907-376-8327.
The dandelion is the only flower that symbolizes the three celestial bodies of the sun, moon, and the stars. The yellow flower resembles the sun, the puffball
an entire day (Hough, 2011). All of this stress by being disconnected for just one day! Your Brain on Technology: Many people are presenting with sensory disassociation or sensory mismatch due to over-stimulation of certain parts of their brain, but under-stimulation in other areas. For example, while watching videos on YouTube or scrolling through Facebook updates, the visual system is completely bombarded with messages and visual stimuli. Vision is processed in the back of brain, in the occipital lobe. This area of the brain is completely overstimulated while the front part of the
children. All of which can be overcome by simply detaching from your device. For best health outcomes unplug your device and move your body. Focus on mindfulness to calm your mind and stay present in the moment without technology bombardment. Mindfulness will help to de-stress and allow you to enjoy your surrounding environment and be present in the moment. Improve your health today by making an appointment with Dr. Tara Workman at Altair Chiropractic
brain, the frontal lobe for reading, writing and memory is completely under-stimulated. This sensory discrepancy is resulting in changes of brain output that can lead to developmental delays in the classroom, ADD/ADHD, poor social behaviors and depression in adults and
following month, try eliminating gluten. You get the idea. Most gluten is from wheat or barley or rye. One of these grains is in nearly every processed food and many other things we buy. Most vitamins E found in shampoos and skin lotions is mainly from wheat. So if your scalp is itching, check your shampoo, conditioner and body cream. Some symptoms caused by gluten intolerance are: • Depression • Fatigue • Panic Attacks • Pain • Brain Fog • Abnormal Immune Functioning • Abdominal Cramping and Painful Gas • Headache and Migraine Headaches
• Joint & Muscle Inflammation & Pain • Sudden Weight Gain • Dental Issues - mouth sores decreased calcium levels • Skin Problems - itching, blisters, eczema , pimples, rashes My life has dramatically changed since I learned about gluten intolerance and how to avoid the symptoms and have a full life. Please let me know if I can help you. Good health is your birthright! Dr. Anna Altair practices in Wasilla, 3161 Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Suite #1. She is eager to help those wanting to be healthy without drugs. Her approach is wholistic; she treats the whole person and helps patients make permanent changes in their well-being. Feel free to call 907-357-1818.
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HEALTH & EDUCATION Contributed by Brenna Nikalee Rath It’s near one o’clock on a Tuesday afternoon in May. It is bright and warm outside. Most kids are still in classrooms wishing they were out in the sunshine. Over on Barbarian Way, three children walk and skip along the roadside path. If you were to ask them if they know why the road they live on is named Barbarian Way, they would giggle and tell you it was named after them. Perhaps that’s what their mother told them. The smallest of the three, Bracken, holds a stick in his left hand dragging it beside him. He likes the way it sounds and feels as it moves through the dirt and gravel. He likes to look behind him and see the winding line the stick’s point has left in the ground beside his boot prints. His tangled curls bob as he
Contributed by Eddie Ezelle Food4Kids, a program of MatSu Food Bank is pleased to be participating as a sponsor in the Summer Food Service Program this summer! Meals will be made available free to all children, eighteen years and under, from May 22rd through August 18th, 2017. These are open sites and don’t require sign-ups or registrations – just stop by one of the following locations! Newcomb Park: Monday-Friday 12:00PM-1:15PM Wonderland Playground: MondayFriday 12:00PM-1:15PM Carter Park: Monday-Friday 12:00PM-1:00PM Iditapark Skate Park: Monday-Friday 1:30PM-2:00PM Food Pantry of Wasilla: MondayFriday 11:30AM-1:00PM
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skips, and he almost loses leaves from the basket he holds in his right hand.
up fireweed shoots he spilled while galloping.
“Careful!” calls Izzy, his older sister. She’s bringing up the rear pointing to plants, adding leaves and shoots to baskets, making sure none are lost. Ahead of her, Clementine jumps back and forth over Bracken’s line in the dirt, picks up fireweed shoots he spilled and continues jumping. She carries a colorful, woven basket like Bracken’s. Inside it are fiddlehead ferns.
In their yard, the children set about picking dandelion leaves. Their older sister, Merry, emerges from the house, guitar in hand. She sits on a fallen tree trunk at the edge of the yard and strums while the other kids pick. She sings of Persephone, of thorns and rose blossoms and “Puff the Magic Dragon”.
These children are not skipping school. Like many children in their area, they homeschool. Sometimes homeschooling means doing math in workbooks, and sometimes it means pulling weeds. Today is a pulling weeds day. As they near their driveway, Bracken breaks into gallop. He reaches the yard first, tags the big birch tree at the end of the drive, and shouts, “I win!” Izzy and Clementine roll their eyes and pick
Food4Kids is committed to feeding hungry children in safe community environments. Working with organizations such as city governments, local pantries, and churches. Food4Kids prepares and delivers fresh healthy meals to hundreds of local, at-risk children throughout the year. For additional information on how we do what we do or for a tour of our sites, please call (907) 357-3769. Volunteers are always welcome!
There is a robin hopping about picking at things in the grass. Off in the woods, a squirrel chatters. Chickadees chirp and down the road a dog barks. The kids sing along, pausing to point at a wispy cloud in the shape of a leaping rabbit, an airplane flying over and to watch a motorcycle roar by. They only pick the leaves that do not have stems and buds growing. They will pick flowers another day. Today they only want leaves, and leaves are best from plants that are not yet flowering. Bracken eats as many as he puts in a basket.
Contributed by Paula Nance The Mat Su Sertoma Club is pleased to announce Annika Lundstrom and Gary Chang as the 2017 recipients of the Mat Su Sertoma University Scholarship. Annika is graduating from Colony High School and will be attending Montana State University in their Pre-Med Program in Bozeman, Montana. Her scholastic record and role as a volunteer among her peers is outstanding. Gary grew up with Large Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome, associated with
Perhaps you have guessed why the children gathered fiddleheads from the forest, fireweed from the meadow and along the edges of the path and dandelion leaves from their yard. But perhaps you have not, so I will tell you. They are pulling weeds to make a spring salad of course! “Eat your weeds,” says Mama. The fiddleheads are sautéed with butter and seasonings. Clementine doesn’t care for them, but she eats one anyway to show her gratitude for the earth and food it provided. Izzy likes the crisp, leafy greens best with crunchy croutons. Merry adds a sprinkle of cilantro and squeeze of lemon juice to hers. Bracken likes his leaves and shoots like Mama with vinaigrette, salt and pepper. In fact, he likes them best when they come straight out of Mama’s bowl. What is your favorite way to eat your weeds?
progressive hearing loss. He is currently studying to become a dentist at the University of Kentucky, Lexington. Annually, the Mat Su Sertoma Club recognizes young adults pursuing a higher education and provides unencumbered funds for the student to spend as they need. Mat Su Plunge grants have been provided for more than a decade to deserving students. The Mat Su Sertoma Club was founded in 2009 and has held the Mat Su Plunge to raise more than $220,000 for Valley projects.
VETERANS / FAITH / OPINIONS Contributed by Suellyn Novak, Alaska Veterans Museum Executive Director Come out to Wings of Freedom’s Hanger on Merrill Field on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 6PM (opposite Reeve Blvd) in Anchorage to send off the Alaska Wing of the Commemorative Air Force’s Canadian Harvard Mark IV, CAF Col Chuck Miller’s AT-6 Texan (American version of Harvard) and John Pletcher’s Grumman Goose.
to take part in the 75th Anniversary Commemoration of the 1942 Japanese bombing of Dutch Harbor/Unalaska and the Aleut Evacuation. There are full days planned, see the schedule.
for this sold-out event, you can still be a part of this effort as there will be a Friday, June 9, 2017 Remembrance Ceremony at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery at 10:30AM.
Did you know that Alaska was bombed, invaded and occupied in World War II? Most Americans do not know that. Help us commemorate our soldiers, sailors and airmen, who so ably defended us, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our liberty.
This event will feature speakers, wreath layings, music and dancers. Taps will be sounded for both the American and Japanese soldiers at the close of the ceremony. For base access call Virginia Walker at (907) 383-7075 as real ID may well be a problem. For information, call Suellyn at (907) 696-4904.
They will be flying to Dutch Harbor
For those unable to get to Dutch Harbor
Contributed by Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain
When the flag is at half-staff, the position is in remembrance of the more than one million men and women who gave their lives for their country. Raising the flag at noon signifies that the nation lives; that the country is resolved not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their honor and continue to fight for liberty and justice for all.
Memorial Day, a United States federal holiday, is observed each year on the last Monday in May. This day is in honor and remembrance of all men and woman who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Traditionally on Memorial Day, the flag of the United States of America is raised briskly to the top of the staff, then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position where it remains until noon. At noon, it is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day.
What is a memorial? A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event. The most common type of memorial is the gravestone or the memorial plaque. Also common are war memorials commemorating
those who have died in wars. What should we remember? The person’s lifestyle, personality, accomplishments and what they taught us. We remember their great depth of knowledge. We have a responsibility to share that wisdom with others and the next generation. We have been mentored and now must mentor others. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2) This was Paul the Apostle, writing to his disciple, Timothy. It is also
on, and come downtown on Saturday nights and join those of us who are struggling too. Contributed by Tiffany Moffitt Rye, Lifelong Alaskan Celebrating Recovery for 11 Years My name is Tiffany Moffitt Rye and I am sharing this amazing faith-based program with you because I have recently become a part of the ministry team at Palmer Alaska Celebrate Recovery. I personally stepped into recovery in February 1993 when I found out I was pregnant with my first daughter. After five years of being clean, my ex-husband and I separated and I lost my sobriety that same night! I carried shame and guilt for years, but I maintained a functioning addict’s lifestyle. In March 2006, I attempted to take my own life in my car coming from the Butte to Palmer… God intervened. Well, after literally being touched by the hand of God that day on March 12th, 2006, my life would change forever. I was broken and needed help. I started listening to 88.9 Christian broadcasting that day and haven’t stopped listening since. New Life Live is on every weekday from 2pm-3pm and I began my counseling over the radio. Then I entered into one-on-one counseling,
Contributed by Vic Kohring Have you ever given thought to the jet plumes in the sky and whether they may actually be chemtrails courtesy of the U.S. government? I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but it does make me wonder when I occasionally look up and see the unusual displays crisscrossing high overhead. Prophecy in the book of Revelation predicts a controlling authority will appear - the Anti-Christ - who will wield power over the earth. There is
attended Fresh Start and completed small groups on “Processing the Issues of Your Heart”. A “process” and path in helping you resolve issues of offense, hurt, and loss at Church on the Rock in Wasilla and Palmer. After finding much freedom through forgiveness, my journey came down to my own self-hatred. This was the key to my continued desire for addiction. I must make a conscious effort each day not to beat myself up for my past or even the mistakes and sometimes negative choices I make for my life each day. Through a long journey of recovery from many issues in my life: marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, sexual, physical, emotional and psychological abuse, as well as rape and an abortion at age 15…Well, I found myself in trauma counseling again after a major surgery in 2016. This is how I found Celebrate Recovery. My therapy led me to a place where I knew God was calling me to share Him and what He did to save me from taking my own life. I encourage anyone who has any kind of hurt, habit or hang-up that they stop, look around and listen. Then get in your vehicle or put your walking shoes
growing evidence that our government is preparing for that eventuality by engaging in nefarious activity intended to control the populace. One may be chemicals deliberately pumped into the air we breathe as a means to subdue and dumb down the masses, making us docile and easily manipulated into thinking Big Brother is our friend to whom we should cower and bow down. Knowing the history of the U.S. government and its track record, I believe this is possible as they’re capable of anything. Consider experiments done on Americans in our recent past. It’s well known that black people were
What is Celebrate Recovery? Celebrate Recovery (CR) is an American Christ-based approach to recovery that was a response to twelvestep programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous; the founders felt that Alcoholics Anonymous was too vague in referring to God as a “higher power” and wanted a more specifically Christbased program. We offer participants a clear path of salvation and discipleship; bringing hope, freedom, sobriety, healing and the opportunity to give back one day at a time through our one and only true Higher Power, Jesus Christ. Testimony of our Leader: My name is Stormie Peterson and I am celebrating recovery. I started using substances to mask rejection at the early age of ten. I went through several programs in my late teens in order to overcome these addictions. I always told myself, “Pffft, I don’t need anyone to tell me what to do, I can have my cake and eat it to.” Some people would have called me a functioning addict. After some redirection, I was able to complete high school, graduate in 2.5 years and was valedictorian of my class; all while I was severely loaded. I thought I was invincible and a responsible user, unfortunately that was not the case. I had deep-rooted issues of rejection that would
intentionally infected with diseases to “determine how the human body responds”. Others were exposed to high levels of radiation from nuclear blasts in the 1950s and 60s when the government knew full well the hazards of radiation and nuclear fallout as if testing us to see how much the body can absorb. Strong evidence also suggests cities were sprayed with agents containing viruses and bacterial pathogens that sickened many. So it’s not that far-fetched to think our government is also poisoning the atmosphere and air we breathe to medicate Americans - perhaps to control them into submission and set the stage for the Anti-Christ. Many people are already being medicated through chemicals in
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incumbent for us as Bible believers to tell others of our faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus commanded us to, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Memorial Day is a day of remembering the sacrifices the members of the Armed Forces have made for you and me in defense of freedom. Freedom is not free, it comes with a price. Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain 907-715-4001
surface as rebellion and self-hatred. By the age of nineteen, I had two DUI’s, grand theft auto, multiple arrests for assault and several night stay-overs at the county jail for intoxication in public. I knew this was not what I wanted for my life, but I could not stop. I knew there was a God and I knew He loved everyone, but I didn’t comprehend the love He had for me. I found recovery. In October, I will have nine years of sobriety! I have continued to walk the steps out in my life and have had a spiritual awakening as a result. I am excited about having Celebrate Recovery in Palmer, Alaska. Not only do I get to continue in the good work the Lord has done in my life, but now I get to share my experience, strength and hope with others so that they may find healing over life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups. We meet inside Wolverine Academy at the intersection of Arctic Ave. and Alaska St. every week on Saturdays from 7pm-8:30pm. On the first Saturday of each month (beginning June 3rd) we host a BBQ and Testimony night from 6-8:30pm. Everyone is encouraged to bring a snack or a dish to share! Find us and more details on Facebook @Palmer Alaska Celebrate Recovery, or call Stormie Peterson, Leader at 907-982-0400 or Tiffany Moffitt Rye, Ministry Team at 907-745-8477
our water including fluoride, an ingredient in rat poison. The Food and Drug Administration pushes the consumption of dangerous, geneticallyaltered and chemically-laden food on the public. Not to mention hundreds of pharmaceutical drugs created in laboratories that flood the market and dull the minds of Americans, turning many into glassy-eyed zombies. And now the air is potentially pumped with poisons gently filtering down unbeknownst to many. It may very well be the globalist’s vile, inhumane attempt to control people as referenced in Revelation as part of the One World Order. There are nearly a half million people living in Southcentral Alaska, so we represent a big, easy, convenient target for the feds.
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EDUCATION Contributed by Robin Minard The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently awarded 128 academic scholarships totaling $721,400 to Mat-Su students pursuing college degrees in health and wellness. In addition, the foundation awarded 23 vocational scholarships totaling $48,636 to residents pursuing health-related training and certificate programs. Together, the academic and vocational scholarship programs awarded $770,036 – almost double the $389,227 awarded the previous year. “Workforce development is the key driver of our scholarship program,” said MSHF Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Ripley. “Of the twenty-five occupations expected to grow the most in Alaska, eighteen are related to healthcare. As Mat-Su grows, so does our need for a highly trained and educated healthcare workforce, and this scholarship program can help fill that need with local residents.”
The Mat-Su Health Foundation offers scholarships in two categories: academic scholarships for students pursuing college degrees with health or wellness majors and vocational scholarships to assist students with the cost of training and certifications for jobs in health and wellness fields. Scholarships are awarded based on how well each applicant meets MSHF’s eligibility criteria, which includes financial need, demonstrated interest in healthcare and selection of a career choice that matches the workforce needs of the Mat-Su. MSHF academic scholarships are awarded one time annually, while vocational scholarships are awarded throughout the year. New in 2017 is the Mat-Su Scholars Award, which is not based on financial need, but instead is awarded based on the applicant’s career goal, an essay, and an interview. Mat-Su Scholars Awards are for $10,000 each and were awarded to students who meet specific criteria: • The Annie Deeming Scholarship for a current high school student: Deborah Johnston
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• The Vivian “Babe” Shaver Scholarship for a behavioral health major: Michael Consalo • The Ya Ne Dah Ah /K’tl’egh’i Sukdu Scholarship for a graduate-level applicant: Christina Bernier • The Jessica Stevens Scholarship for a physician assistant major: Hilary Stark • The Darlene Reed Scholarship for a nursing major: Heather Hanes About MSHF: Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare asset through board oversight. The MSHF invests its share of Mat-Su Regional’s profits into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available online at www.healthymatsu.org.
Contributed by Jennifer Castro, Alaska Grown School may almost be out for the summer, but there are some exciting agricultural projects happening with the 2017 Farm to Summer Meal Site program in Alaska. The program provides subgrants to Alaska schools and childcare sites that participate in one of the federal USDA Child Nutrition Programs. This year, nearly $37,000 will be distributed between 29 school and daycare sites, and 43 family childcare provider homes across 13 communities in Alaska. The funds can be used in a variety of ways including: to create or expand institution gardens, to procure local produce or seafood, to integrate garden-based and healthy eating curriculum into summer programs, to take field trips to local farms or farmers markets and to purchase food-related equipment for recipe development using fresh produce or local fish. The Farm to Summer Meal Site program focuses on three main principles: education, procurement
Through growing, harvesting and/or cooking local foods, the program also helps introduce children to their local food system. Grant funding for the summer meal sites is provided by the USDA, Food and Nutrition Services, Team Nutrition Grant Program in partnership with the Child Nutrition Program from the Department of Education. For the upcoming 2017 summer, Alaska Farm to Summer Meal subgrant recipient sites are planning exciting ways to engage the children and youth in their programs. There is a mixture of sites that have never grown anything at their locations and sites that are expanding their established gardens or procurement practices.
ALCOHOL DETECTION Alcohol Detection Services…. 677-7300 APPAREL All Seasons Clothing ........ 357-0123 CW Tack ........ 376-2668 D’s Tuxedo ........ 707-6585 Mimi’s Closet ........ 376-2661 ART & CRAFTS Shane Lamb Gallery… 746-3343 The Gallery ........ 745-1420 BOOKSTORE Fireside Books ........ 745-2665 CAFÉ & COFFEE Alaska Artisan Coffee ........ 745-5543 Espresso Café ........ 376-5282 Gathering Grounds ........ 376-4404 Vagabond Blue……..745-2233
CHINESE FOOD/ASIAN FOOD Kings Asian Buffet ........ 357-9977 COOKWARE All I Saw Cookware ........ 376-3177
students to the variety of ways to grow food. Some of the sites will also be integrating interactive projects into their summer programs such as beekeeping, food preservation, fish processing and bread making. Other sites have planned for their students to visit farms and farmers’ markets throughout the summer. By enhancing the connection communities have with local food producers in Alaska, students and families are empowered to make informed food choices while supporting the local economy, specifically through the Alaska agriculture and fishing industries. The Division of Agriculture is excited to see how these summer meal site projects turn out, and we will provide an update on them at the end of the summer.
CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT Artists Uncorked ........ 982-2675 EDUCATION Learning Essentials ........ 357-3990 FLOWERS & GIFTS Charlotte’s Flowers ........ 745-5550 FOOTWEAR Northern Comfort ........ 376-5403 HEALTH & WELLNESS All About Herbs ........ 376-8327 HOME DÉCOR Cover Ups Designs ........ 746-4739 JEWELRY L Forge Jewelry ........ 232-9866 PIZZA Humdingers Pizza ........ 745-7499 PRINT SERVICES The UPS Store ........ 376-6245 RADIO 95.5 The Pass ........ 631-0877 REPAIR, RESTORATION Comtronics ........ 373-2669 Steve’s Toyostove…. 376-9276
Schools and childcare sites are integrating hydroponic systems, indoor gardening, raised garden beds, container gardening and season extension methods to expose
RELAXATION The Tub House & Tanning….. 376-8827 SALONS Hello Darlin Salon.… 373-3307 Light It Up Head Shop…. 745-5483 SMOKE SHOPS Alaska Pipe Dreams ........ 746-1500
HEARTFELT Contributed by Greg Dixon
ADULT PIANO LESSONS Hitchcock Piano Studio ........ 745-3134
CANDY Monica’s Confection ... 315-3999
HEALTH & COMMUNITY and gardens. The goal of the program is to enhance the eating and educational environments of these sites, increase children’s acceptance of fresh produce and local fish, and increase awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and physical activity.
ACCOMMODATIONS Houston Lodge Marketplace…. 892-5124 Sunset View Resort ........ 892-8595
SPECIALTY GIFTS Alaska Midnite Scents ........ 357-7364
An article I ran into in the Anchorage Dispatch newspaper this morning on Blue Boobies courting dances, lead to my interest in exploring for a video of such on my computer with great anticipation.
of Paradise, and then to the courtship dances of many other birds, along with many other fascinating records freely available on National Geographic Wild Nature presentations (probably also available on the Discovery Channel and or other such wonderful educational sources).
I discovered a very interesting, free PBS presentation on Blue Boobies, and then a video on courtship dances of Birds
These were all very interesting, but by then it was late at night. However, I continued on to exploring another very
interesting presentation on Borneo that I then found and its unique geography, geology, biology, zoology, history, etc. etc. etc. Truly fascinating! I couldn’t quit. Curiosity leads to discovery, discovery leads to exploring, exploring leads to discovering, leads to exploring, leads to discovering, leads to exploring, leads to… Lack of sleep. But I hope Friday never ends.
THRIFT SHOPS Red Barn Thrift Store ........ 745-5050 Steam Driven Boutique ........ 376-4404 Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Stores ........ 376-5708 TOYS Just Imagine Toys ........ 357-1543
POLITICS / OPINION Contributed by Wes Keller Is justice a right? The rights listed in the Declaration (life, liberty, property ownership…) are worthless without the virtue of justice! If we have any rights at all, justice is priceless! When our rights are violated, justice is the only cure! If justice is so fundamentally valuable, consider why the Constitution does not simply guarantee it? Why does the Declaration not read, “Life, liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness”? Justice is not a human right because it is a virtue; a substance or quality by which people or institutions act and produce effects on other people or institutions (Webster’s, 1828). Government can only establish a system to access justice, it cannot generate justice itself because the real source of this virtue is not naturally found in a human or human institutions! The founders knew and accepted this, but now, modern thinking ignores and scorns the belief that we fall short on this virtue making it difficult to understand and accept that government cannot pretend to guarantee justice. The best we can do is try to define justice and hope to provide access for ourselves and for all the governed. In the US and Alaska constitutions, the intent is to create and assign the task of ensuring equal justice under our law by creating a judicial branch. Our access to justice is limited only by our ability to agree on and apply a perfect standard for right and wrong (law). The Due Process Clause (5th and 14th amendments) ensures equal access to what justice can be had under our rule of law. The founders were well-educated and knew well that human history reveals countless failed attempts by various governments to provide justice. Most vivid to them at the time was their inability to attain justice from a distant monarch. Consequently, America was developed as a demonstration of a sincere attempt to provide justice based on “common law” or “natural law”. The noble intent was to create a body of law reflecting the ultimate divine standard using elected representatives in a complex process with checks and balances to mitigate human frailty. We have inherent (natural) rights whether or not we know or believe it. These rights do not cease to exist if/ when they are violated. We inherently (naturally) want justice even if we cannot humanly guarantee it in government. We most often assume there is a “good” common standard (basis of justice) partly to enable us to evaluate ourselves; are we “good” parents, husbands, wives, doctors, politicians, students …? We naturally resist being subject to any external standard other than our own! Yet ironically, we want everybody else to be subject to our customized standard! We all have an opinion of what should or should not be done in any given situation! What would be the point of advocating for or against anything if we didn’t believe there is a right or a wrong way? Whether we like it or not, the common standard adopted for our constitutional understanding of justice is the Ten
Commandments. The founders in the Declaration of Independence appeal to the “Supreme Judge of the World” because they understood He provides the standard (law) for all judgment. Consider the significance of Moses on the US Supreme Court building - it is to recognize the connection between the Ten Commandments and our judicial system. Justice cannot be available in government if everyone is doing what is right in their own eyes (anarchy), yet corporately we cannot seem to tolerate the inherited JudeoChristian standard. If former President Obama was correct when stating, “America is no longer a Christian nation.” (2008), then we do not have a standard at all and face a potentially fatal justice problem! The standard of the “Supreme Judge of the World” reveals man has an inherent “sinful” (fallen) nature! Maybe we avoid this topic because it is awkward and uncomfortable to consider and discuss? Over time this concept has been increasingly avoided in official government - even though it is essential to the understanding and application of justice. Many in government insist a link to the “Supreme Judge of the World” standard is constitutionally banned; a ridiculous interpretation in light of history. An interesting side note: Many Alaskan children educated in non-government schools and in churches, have accepted the “Supreme Judge of the World” as the ultimate standard, and yet they thrive in our culture. Our Alaska Justice system is challenged. By the time you read this, the legislature will likely have voted to use a portion of the restricted earnings reserve for state programs rather than PFDs. I believe this act is a violation of constitutional property rights, (see WesKeller.com for more information). While this injustice may seem minor compared to others, it is very real and in our faces right now! Divine justice is ultimately pending on any issue, including the Permanent Fund Earnings. The best approach is to appeal to the “Supreme Judge of the World” in the same spirit as the founders and rely on “Divine Providence” as they did. We the People starting with our legislature, need to thoughtfully reconsider some of the elements of our judicial branch: > Should the Attorney General be elected instead of appointed by the governor? > Should the Alaska Bar Association have complete control over judge nominations? > Should the legislature have a greater role in judicial appointments made by the governor? > Does our current judicial retention election system allow for sufficient public influence (politics) to ensure judge accountability to Alaskans? Some elements of Alaska’s judicial branch are very “modern” in that they are patterned after the “Missouri Plan” introduced in 1940 and subsequently adopted in other states including our own. They look good on the surface because they obscure the ugly politics necessary to ensure indispensable checks and balances on our judicial system. These checks and balances were meant to prevent Alaska’s judicial branch from creating their own exclusive and “modern” standard of justice rather than reflecting the “orthodox” standard referenced in the Declaration of Independence. Wes Keller WesKeller.com
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Contributed by David Eastman There is a vocal segment of society today that says it can’t. People with unacceptable views hold us back, keep us from progressing as a society. It’s where we get the notion of silencing or shouting down those who declare opinions that are not politically correct. The idea is that when all such unacceptable opinions have been silenced, something will happen. I don’t know what exactly, but something good. Or not. Maybe it will just mean more silence. And more shouting to keep it that way. Unacceptable view #1 for me was when I voted against a Democrat member of a racial minority group for leadership in the legislature. I voted against him because I believed he would support things like abortion and income taxes. He has since done both. I was told by others afterwards that I had really voted against him because he belonged to a minority. Unacceptable view #2 for me was voting against a new state law to replace Columbus Day with a day honoring a minority group. None of our state laws were based on race, and I wanted to keep it that way. I was told afterwards that this meant I hate minorities. Unacceptable view #3 for me was voting against a new state law creating a special day to honor a minority group of veterans who helped build the Alaska Highway. I wanted to honor all veterans who built the highway. After all, many U.S. military veterans gave their lives while building that highway (including American soldiers representing a number of different minorities). Why should we only be able to honor the soldiers of one minority group, and thereby open the door for Alaskans being called racist simply for trying to honor any of the other soldiers on that day? I was reminded afterwards that I had it out for all minorities, and that my vote was an attack against the minority legislator who wrote the bill (who happens to be a friend of mine whose district is next-door, but how could they be expected to know that?). Unacceptable view #4 was voting against a new state law to give special drivers licenses to veterans from two specific Asian ethnic groups who fought for the U.S. during the Vietnam War. I asked why we were opening up this right to these two ethnic groups, but not to veterans from the other ethnic groups who also fought with us and lost their lives under similar circumstances in the very same war. I believe veteran status should be based solely on your military service, not based on which ethnic group you belonged to at the time. I believe that special rights based on race should never be put into state law. I was reminded afterwards that this meant I hate the two ethnic groups that were being given the special drivers licenses. Unacceptable view #5 was likely voting against abortion. I was told that doing so was uncaring and insulting to victims of sexual assault. I voted against
abortion anyway because little people are important too. A lot of other people did too. Unacceptable view #6 was thinking that it was acceptable to talk about things like a boyfriend and girlfriend who were glad to get to go to Seattle for an abortion trip that the state was paying for, a mother who told her daughter that if she could just wait to have her abortion in Seattle, she would go with her and take her on a shopping trip, and a recent visitor to Anchorage who did not go through with her abortion and when she tried to fly home was told that that wasn’t part of the deal. These are all real people. They have names. And I would have to be a special kind of person if you thought I was going to make them public after the scorn, ridicule, death threats and true hate speech that my family and I have had to witness over the last week just for stating that they exist. But real life stories don’t make for 10-second soundbites. The qualifiers get left out, and the details are left fairly vague for privacy. Vague enough for someone to read into them things like sex and gender, if they want to. And some people wanted to. And some people chose to read into them a hatred of the poor, and others chose to read into them a hatred of women, and others chose to read into them a hatred of minorities. You see, my previous votes had already “proved” all this. And that leads us to Unacceptable view #7, which was holding all of the previous views at the same time, and is its own distinct crime. It is the crime of being perpetually willing to say and do things that someone might misinterpret as holding unacceptable, even offensive, views (racism, sexism, hateful, etc.). Afterwards, I was told that it wasn’t about what I meant and it wasn’t about what I said. It was about my willingness to make decisions independent of what someone else might think about it. And that is no less a crime today than speeding, if you mean to be a vocal member of society. But society considers itself merciful. If you renounce such views, or at least pledge not to talk about them, you may be given forgiveness or at least toleration… to a point. Unacceptable view #8, was perhaps the most vile of them all. It was thinking that as a white male, unapologetically holding all the previous unacceptable views, I had the right to call for an investigation and hearings into whether or not our state social programs are operating for the benefit of our entire state, as opposed to the benefit of the specific special interests that they more directly serve. These are unacceptable views. Under the current dogma, those who hold them must either die or be silenced. I have the audacity to believe that unacceptable views should be heard so that the rest of us have the freedom to think and speak as we like. I know I am not the only one. David Eastman represents rural Mat-Su (District 10) in the Alaska State House.
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POLITICS / OPINION Contributed by Rep. Mark Newman With 2017 well under way, it can be easy to get caught up in all the changes a new year brings and quickly forget about all the things for which we are thankful, a practice that is much more commonly done at the end of the year. As co-chair of the Alaska Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus, I find it fitting to take a moment to extend an enormous debt of gratitude to our hunters and anglers. The critical contributions these sportsmen and women make to our economy and professional fish and wildlife management in the Last Frontier ensure that we will enjoy access to our hunting and angling traditions now and into the future.
Contributed by Beth Fread Tuesday morning, I shocked myself with my thoughts. It began with the people on the radio and Facebook debating which tax was best - the income tax or the PFD tax? My first reaction was, “Why are we even talking about any of this? None of it is necessary.” Thank goodness for Michael Dukes (Radio – the Michael Dukes Show) and Brad Keithley (Facebook - Alaskans for a Sustainable Budget). They are continuing to press the fact that none of this necessary. The answer is KISS -
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 I’ve personally observed an array of odd-looking jet “plumes” that defy logic. This past Thanksgiving on November 24, 2016, I witnessed seven simultaneous plumes above the skies of Anchorage and the Valley. They were all going east to west (not in the direction of Anchorage International Airport or JBER as one would expect), in straight lines and parallel to each other while
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Eighty years ago, the hunting community initiated the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF) with the passage of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (PittmanRobertson Act) which directed excise taxes on firearms and ammunition to a dedicated fund to be used specifically for conservation purposes. Further, revenue from sportsmen’s licenses was permanently linked to conservation through the establishment of this program, laying the foundation for what is now the American System of Conservation Funding. Through time, this system has expanded and now includes the fishing and boating communities -with the passage of the Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration Act (also known as the Dingell-Johnson Act, and the subsequent Wallop-Breaux Amendment) as well as the archery community.
These critical conservation dollars fund a variety of efforts including enhanced fish and wildlife habitat and populations, recreational access to public and private lands, shooting ranges and boat access facilities, wetlands protection and its associated water filtration and flood retention functions and improved soil and water conservation - all which benefit the American public. In 2015 alone, the sale of hunting and fishing licenses combined generated more than $25.3 million in revenue, and an additional nearly $52 million was brought into the state from excise taxes collected from the sale of hunting and fishing equipment. All of this revenue goes to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to aid in its charge of managing our fish and wildlife for the enjoyment of all Alaskans. Included among the notable uses and beneficiaries of ASCF dollars in Alaska
cut the budget. Most of Alaska’s governmental leadership has been avoiding the elephant in the room for far too long. The Governor has trained you to parrot his ‘Fiscal Crisis’ mantra of, “We need more of the people’s and private business sector’s money.” You have failed in your duty to the people of Alaska by not looking into the realities that we have researched, learned and understand. None of this is necessary. Is it time to throw the bums out? The House Caucus especially. Unless, of course, you as individuals, unite and do what you find to be the impossible. Stand up against this debacle of
deception and endorsement of a falsehood regarding Alaska’s fiscal status. Vote no on the budget (it begins the ultimate and eternal Permanent Fund Raid) and remember that no (way) on the income tax is your new mantra. The insanity of the Senate’s ‘stateliness’ as they step into the manure leaves one thinking no one should remain there for another month, much less another term. The dutiful bowing down to party and decorum, the appearance of majesty and introspection while you are blindly taking the people of Alaska down the road to fiscal disaster is stupefying.
spanning approximately 15-20 miles as if part of a precise grid.
to travel this route and release such a bizarre cloud. Very peculiar.
Then in early December, I noticed a single, enormous plume directly above Wasilla with a strange pattern - the jet had traveled from east to west (from the vicinity of Knik River valley) and then took a sharp, right angle turn northward toward the Talkeetna Mountains while leaving behind a gigantic, expanding cloud in its wake. Unless the activity was from a military jet on maneuvers, it made no sense for a passenger plane
Recently I visited a friend at the Wasilla Senior Center when I casually looked up and saw probably ten plumes directly above crisscrossing all over and covering nearly the entire area, again appearing as a grid and a carefully orchestrated effort to blanket the sky above 400,000 mostly unsuspecting Alaskans. The multitude of plumes represented far more air traffic than normal and was clearly a deliberate,
You have inspired us to continue
are the following facts: • • •
Over 75,000 students have participated in hunter education courses in Alaska since 1973. 63% of U.S. wetland ecosystems can be found in Alaska, totaling 130 million acres. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game Fish Passage Improvement Program has carried out 33 stream restoration projects, providing access to 78 river miles.
With these points in mind, I would ask that all Alaskans take a few minutes to thank our state’s sportsmen and women for all they do to support fish and wildlife management, and to help provide increased access to public lands and waters for a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. For more information on the contributions of hunters and anglers to fish and wildlife management in Alaska visit http://sportsmenslink. org/uploads/page/Alaska.pdf
to comment on the farce you are enacting in the public forum. As you head into yet another special session bent on destroying Alaska’s economy, we will more actively endorse the MissionCriticalAlaska.com team and website, continue sharing the Facebook pages for “Alaskans For a Sustainable Budget”, “Alaskans Against Gov. Walker’s PFD Theft” and “Permanent Fund Defenders”. Others may have fallen into despair, most are rising to battle. Give us petition books, community streets, talk shows and newsprint, Facebook and email addresses. It is past time for more Alaskans to become aware of what their government is doing: destroying Alaskan financial independence, personal autonomy and a truly representative government.
structured pattern. Something was up. I personally take precautions to keep myself healthy and ward off the effect of poisons through the use of vitamin/ mineral supplements and limiting time outside when plumes are present. Whether anything is going on in our skies is uncertain and chances are the plumes are a coincidence and not worth worrying about. But it’s something to contemplate and be wary of.
SUBMIT YOUR OWN EVENTS & ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE uncontested right to spend 50% of the accumulated earnings of the Alaska Permanent Fund on government without any further legislation. Contributed by Jim Crawford Watching the legislature wind down is painful. This year, the Democrats own the House and the Republicans own the Senate. The House wants income taxes. The Senate says no. The House wants to jack up oil taxes. Senate says nada. The good news is that revenue projections were off by one billion dollars, reducing the budget gap, from $3.5 billion down to $2.5 billion. Current law allows the legislature to spend the $10.3 billion earnings reserve of the Alaska Permanent Fund. Fifty percent of earnings have been accumulating (net of dividends) from when we had budget surpluses. The Constitutional Budget Reserve stands at $4.7 billion. The Statutory Budget Reserve is at $3.5 billion. Reserves total $18.5 billion, covering the gap for 7 ½ years. The price of oil is up and production through the pipeline has increased annually for over ten years. New discoveries signal a solid fiscal future. Hidden cash in state agencies is most certainly not necessary. Alaska Housing shows $1.5 billion in net-worth. Alaska Industrial Development and Export
Authority has $1.3 billion. Unrestricted funds, not needed for programs, are $1.8 billion. Add them to the earnings reserve of the Permanent Fund to bring reserves over $12 billion. That $12 billion is our hedge against lower prices and production declines. The combination of funds is a conservative fiscal plan. With $12 billion in reserves, we need not spend the principal of the Alaska Permanent Fund. The Percentage of Market Value formula is being used by both the House and Senate to raid the fund. POMV enactment would change the cash withdrawal to allow spending the principle of our fund. Voters said no to spending the principle. It’s not prudent or necessary. As my grandfather, Sheriff Pop Crawford, (Hope, 1910) used to say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” As Alaskans, we traded our individual rights to resource wealth by voting for our Alaska Constitution. Resource wealth is jointly owned by all Alaskans. Constitutionally, 75% of that resource wealth runs government as it has for the last forty years. 25% is reserved for the people’s fund. But, the spenders
are not satisfied. They want 100% of the resource wealth for government spending. The spenders are brow-beating legislators, demanding that they keep spending high. Spending more is not the answer. Alaskan education spending is second highest in the nation, while delivered results are second worst in the nation. Change how education and government services are delivered to change the result for our kids and citizens. The status quo is not working. A frustrated priority of seniors is stabilizing the Alaska Pioneer Homes. Scaring pioneers with budget cuts is outrageous and unnecessary. The Pioneer Homes can bring in $225 million on a sale/leaseback, create an endowment fund managed by a public/ private partnership and contribute millions over the cost of stabilized care for our seniors each year. The Pioneer’s solution generates more income than it spends. The legislature should act on it. Let’s use all the tools including excess capital and leasebacks before more taxes. The legislature has the
The other 50% is the people’s dividend money. We have $12 billion in reserves to back up the people’s choice. Then reduce spending to balance a sustainable budget. No crisis exists that requires an income tax, an increase in oil and gas taxes, a sales tax or a violation of the constitutional ban on spending the principle of the Alaska Permanent Fund. Legislators must hear the people. They must respect Alaskans enough to not reduce the dividend or spend the principal of the Alaska Permanent Fund without a vote of the people. Say a prayer for their wisdom. Then they can adjourn. Jim Crawford, a third generation, lifelong Alaskan, is former chairman of the Trump Campaign for Alaska. He is also president of the Alaska Institute for Growth, an advocacy nonprofit to grow 100,000 new jobs in Alaska. Jim is a real estate broker in Anchorage. Jim served Senator Stevens as coordinator of Alaska offices in the seventies.
PETS & ANIMALS
PETS & ANIMALS
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Contributed by Tracy Smith, Animal Care Dispatcher Theodore (A063145) is a 4 year old orange and white short-haired cat who must have spent most of his life on the lamb. He loves people, but when he came to us he had a severely infected, broken leg that had to be amputated. Now that he is retiring to a life of indoor leisure, he has mastered the three-legged greeting and wants to be your household symbol of strength and inspiration. Are you interested in a courageous canine or cat companion? Call 761-7501 during business hours to make an appointment to visit with him and see if he would fit in with your family.
Contributed by Kelleigh Orthman M.S. Tink and Aurora are a bonded pair of girls about 5 years old. They are both beautiful, with a lush Maine Coonish coat in rich warm colors. They are torbies! Tink and Aurora are sweet gentle girls. They love to cuddle and hang out with their family, but in totally different ways. Aurora is a little shy and will hang out in her napping hidey hole all day; then come out to play all night. She likes cuddles but doesn’t want to be forced into cuddling. Tink, on the other hand, is a total loveball whenever her people are around. She will smother you with love and if you let her, she will drink out of your cup. Long summer evenings in the yard or snuggled up for a midday nap, they are happy companions for their people and for each other.
Snowball (A062614), a four year old neutered male, came to us weighing about half his current sleek eleven pounds. All the pads of his feet were frostbitten with the skin sloughed off, so he could barely walk.
Are you interested in a courageous canine or cat companion? Call 761-7501 during business hours to make an appointment to visit with him and see if he would fit in with your family.
Can you tell that Loki loves people? It is his dream to be part of a caring family, who will give him the affection he craves. This sweet shepherd/pit bull mix is less than one year old, neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.
They are great together; their people would not have to worry about them being lonely when the humans are away. They do well with children who are gentle with them. In Wasilla. Tink and Aurora can be adopted as a pair for $100.
Loki has had a hard life in his young age, but is still willing to trust people. He is not, however, terribly fond of other dogs and would therefore do best as the only dog in his new home.
Mat-Su Borough Animal Shelter 907-746-5500
To meet this sweet boy, please call Angie at 841-3173 or email Alaska Animal Advocates at AAArescue@yahoo.com.
Whatever hard times he’d been suffering through, he was lucky that some kind soul brought him to the shelter where he could be pampered and brought back to health. Even though he is a black cat, we named him Snowball since he survived having his feet frozen off, so to speak. Come meet this calm, affectionate cat who would just love to spend the rest of his days lounging in your house and cuddling up to you and yours.
Contributed by Angie Lewis, President of Alaska Animal Advocates
Contributed by Kelleigh Orthmann, M.S. Calista is a lovely, young girl who is a year or two old. She has a fluffy coat in pretty tortoiseshell colors with tiger stripes on her head. She’s
a torbie! Calista had a rough start in a colony of eighty cats. Many of them didn’t survive the harsh conditions, but this sweet girl made it. And oh what a love she is. She is adorable and so cuddly. She loves to be loved, pet and snuggled. She likes to play too; it’s a new thing to have a life with so much care that there is time and joy enough for playing. Mat-Su Borough Animal Shelter 907-746-5500
PETS & ANIMALS Contributed by Angie Lewis, President of Alaska Animal Advocates No matter how cautious you are with your pet, there is always a chance that he may get lost. In fact, many pets get lost at least once in their lifetime. Most pets, who manage to get back home, are either microchipped, tattooed or wearing an ID tag of some sort. Microchips: Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are injected under the skin, between the shoulders. Each chip has a unique code that is registered with a recovery center such as Home Again or Avid. The microchip syringe is quite large and can be painful for your pet, so waiting until he is sedated for another reason, is a good idea. Or, ask for a local anesthetic to be administered. If your pet becomes lost, most veterinary offices, Animal Control or shelters typically have a scanner that will be able to read your pet’s number. The key here, is that you must register your current contact information with the recovery center. Be sure to keep this information updated, should you move or change phone numbers. Although microchips are thought to be relatively safe, there are some holistic veterinarians that are concerned about the possibility that microchips can cause tumors at or near the injection site. In addition, a microchip can sometimes migrate and so a full body
scan may be required to locate the chip number. Permanent Tattoos: Tattooing your pet involves a code or other information being tattooed either on the ear flap, abdomen or inner leg of your pet’s body. This technique is typically done when your pet is sedated for another procedure, or a local anesthetic can be used to minimize any pain involved. A downside to using identifying tattoos for your pet is that it doesn’t make sense to tattoo him if you relocate or your phone number changes periodically. Registering the tattooed information with an entity such as AKC Reunite or the National Dog Registry will help you reconnect with your lost pet. Drawbacks to this method are that tattoos can sometimes fade and therefore be difficult to read as time goes by. Also, dogs that are very furry make it difficult to search for the identifying information. Many people, who might be trying to reconnect you with your pet, may not think to look over your dog’s body for a tattoo. Your pet may not be comfortable having a stranger handle him, particularly if he is scared or nervous being away from his family. ID Tags: ID tags are typically made from plastic or metal and are attached to your pet’s collar or harness. These tags are engraved with your contact information. The tags are typically
Fostering a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences that a person can have. When a dog is fostered, a spot is made available for another dog. Socializing and training a foster dog helps him to become more adoptable. Rescue groups rely on foster homes to provide a more wholesome and loving environment than most Animal Control or Shelter facilities can offer.
from surgery or an illness and needs to be in a home to recuperate.
Many rescue groups do not have a physical shelter and therefore depend upon foster homes to care for dogs until a suitable home is found. Another reason that a foster home might be needed is that a dog may be recovering
The most vital reason that a dog might need to be fostered is that shelters often run out of room for dogs and this can result in euthanasia. If you are unsure of how to begin your journey to becoming a foster home,
Some dogs are too stressed by a shelter environment and blossom in a home setting. Many homeless dogs are not properly socialized and this process can be better facilitated in a home. Young puppies are safer from germs and diseases in a foster home, rather than in a shelter environment.
inexpensive and are easy to find on your pet so that a kind person, trying to help your pet get back to his family, will not be challenged with finding your address or phone number. Again, this contact information must be current, or the tag will need to be replaced. In addition, these tags often fall off the collar or get quite worn and difficult, if not impossible to read. There are digital ID tags that link to an online service and can be scanned with a smartphone. In addition, there are USB ID tags that house a thumb or flash drive, which attaches to your pet’s collar and stores his information. This does require that the person who finds your pet have access to a computer and knows how to use a thumb or flash drive. GPS Tracking Devices: These devices help a guardian monitor their pet’s whereabouts, particularly if your pet is off leash often. GPS
research rescue groups in your area or contact your local Animal Control or Shelter for help with selecting a rescue organization. Once you have met a representative of the rescue group, you will most likely need to fill out paperwork that will clarify what responsibilities you will have and the type of support the rescue group will provide. It is vital that you understand the philosophy of the rescue organization to make certain that the practices employed by the rescue group are things that you can be comfortable supporting. So, if you believe that every dog is adoptable and worthy of
trackers are great for locating pets that are escape artists, but do not assist a stranger in returning your lost pet to you. Radio Frequency Identification Devices: These devices are basically microchips that are worn by your pet, rather than being implanted under his skin. RFIDs are more a tool to help you find your lost pet and not so much as a help for someone to get in touch with you if they find your pet. Each of these devices are helpful tools to get your pet returned to you if he gets lost. Certainly, trying to keep your pet from getting lost in the first place is quite important. Every pet should have a standard ID tag, which is so easy for a helpful individual to use to reconnect you with your pet. Then, choose one of the other devices that will work with your individual pet.
saving, you may experience distress with a group that doesn’t feel that euthanizing a dog with health or behavior problems is wrong. I am often reminded of this quote when people who want to foster a dog are reluctant to do so because of the sadness of watching their animal friend leave their lives. “I would rather cry watching them leave our home, to go live a full, good life in a loving forever home of their own, than cry because no one stepped up for them in the shelter where they died all alone, scared, unwanted and unloved.” PLEASE FOSTER AND HELP SAVE A LIFE! Angie Lewis – President of Alaska Animal Advocates (AAA)
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COMMUNITY Contributed by Patti Fisher, Meadow Lakes Community Council Meadow Lakes Spring Cleanup May 15 – 20, 2017 Meadow Lakes Community Council Meadow Lakes Area FREE Event Meadow Lakes Block Party
COMMUNITY
5/21/2017 – 1PM Meadow Lakes Community Council Meadow Lakes Sports Field 1210 N Kim Drive, Meadow Lakes FREE Event
Meadow Lakes. Drop the filled bags at Fire Station 71 on Pittman Rd. Monday, May 15th through Friday, May 20th from 6pm to 8pm and Saturday, May 20th from 10am to 6pm.
Meadow Lakes 23th Annual Spring Cleanup will be held Monday, May 15th through Saturday, May 20th. Trash bags can be picked up at R&R Laundry in
Then celebrate with us on Sunday, May 21th at the Meadow Lakes Sports Field from 1pm to 4pm. Be sure to bring your favorite potluck dish to share with your
This year, the fair will take place on Saturday, June 3rd from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Contributed by Mary Beth Feldman 7th Annual Country Fair 6/3/2017 – 11AM St. Herman Orthodox Church 6988 N. En Dove Rd. Wasilla FREE Admission
PRESS RELEASE Bubbling Brook Farmhouse Vintage Market July 15-16, 2017 Saturday @9AM, Sunday @11AM Bubbling Brook Farmhouse Menard Sports Center 1001 Clapp St. Wasilla Cost: Saturday - FREE Children, $5 Adults, $25 VIP/Sunday – FREE Admission Make plans to spend a day at the Bubbling Brook Farmhouse Vintage Market, July 15th and 16th, at the Curtis D Menard Sports Complex.
School is out and the children are reveling in newfound freedom to be outdoors! What better place is there for them to see friends and enjoy that freedom than the 7th Annual Country Fair at Saint Herman Orthodox Church in Wasilla?
Nursing moms will enjoy some down time in a special place set aside for them. Chalk wall and face painting for the little ones, when they need a break from shopping. Tickets are as follows: 17 and under free. $5 regular admission on Saturday. Sunday free. VIP tickets, $25, allows you to shop early – 8am-9am Saturday. Regular hours are 9am-5pm on Saturday and 11am-4pm Sunday. www.bubblingbrookfarmhouse.com
Our vendors will be offering antique, vintage, upcycled and locally handmade products for your family and home. Alaskan A’s Model A Club will be showing off their beautiful cars, and the Hannah Yoder Band will be entertaining us on Saturday.
Contributed by Glen Butts, The Dude MS Ride for a Cure 6/25/2017 – 10AM Eddie Maxwell & Glen Butts Alaska State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer Suggested Donation: $25 MS Ride for a Cure news feed event is Sunday, June 25th at the Alaska State Fairgrounds (next to Fairgrounds train stop). 9:30am Meet and Greet with doughnuts and coffee and “Kick Stands Up” at 10am. This is our 8th year for the run. We are fundraising for this event to give to the MS Society to hopefully find a cure to a terrible debilitating disease that afflicts so many. There is no known cure as of yet, but hope is on the horizon every day. We meet at the Fairgrounds at 9:30am for coffee and doughnuts. There is a $25 suggested donation to enter the
There will be plenty of traditional favorites including oldfashioned carnival style games, the ultimate cake walk, the petting zoo, the Country Store, Fizzywigs old fashioned sodas and the chuck wagon with its delicious food, including for the first time turkey
Contributed by Debbie Filter, Trapper Creek Community Services Assoc. Inc. 12th Annual Fireweed Festival 7/15/2017 - 11AM Trapper Creek Community Services Assoc., Inc. T.C. Park Road at the Community Park, Trapper Creek FREE Event Enjoy a day with us! Our 12th Annual Fireweed Festival here in Trapper Creek will be held on July 15th! We begin the day in the Community Center Park at 11:00 a.m. and will wrap it up around 8:00 p.m. This awesome, yearly event is family friendly, fun for all ages and free! Bring a blanket or a garden chair to sit on or choose a spot at one of the many picnic tables in the park, while your children enjoy the supervised children’s activity tent and romp on
ride and enjoy the food and prizes! We will be taking off at 10am and riding up to Eureka Lodge. You don’t need a motorcycle, you can drive a car or truck; it’s all ok. This is a beautiful ride with lots of true Alaska scenery, rivers, forest, glaciers and great people. When we arrive at the Lodge, there will be a BBQ with music and door prizes to those that entered this event - all provided by people in our community that care enough to try and make a difference in this fight of a debilitating disease. All the great businesses that give to the run are on the flyer. Plenty to do while there, fishing and sight-seeing - a true Alaskan adventure while doing something truly awesome for our fellow man. So come out and play with us. You don’t need a motorcycle, just ride out with us. You’ll love the trip. Look us up on Facebook @MS Ride for a Cure. Thanks and God Bless, Eddie Maxwell and Glen Butts aka. The Dude
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neighbors and a chair to sit on. It is a party. We roast a pig; there will be prizes for the most trash collected, music and games for the kids. To get to the sports field take Karen Dr. off of Pittman and follow the signs. For additional information, please check our Facebook page at Meadow Lakes Annual Spring Cleanup or call 352-3737.
legs provided by Bear Mountain Meats. Although we have always had great music at the fair, this year that music will be live! This is fantastic beginning summer fun for the entire family! See you there!
the playground equipment. A delightful combination of local musicians, budding artists and seasoned performers will entertain you all day! Craft vendors will tickle your fancies and the food booths will satisfy any amount of hunger you may have. As if that wasn’t enough to excite you, we will also be conducting a silent auction, a split the pot and raffling off a brand new 2016 Salsa Bearcat X5 fat tire bicycle! So really, you don’t want to miss the 12th Annual Fireweed Festival! Come make some awesome memories with us! The festival is sponsored by the Trapper Creek Community Services, Assoc. Inc. a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.