Contributed by Joshua Fryfogle This article has been updated to include charitable and event information (at the bottom). The outlet sparked. It sparked. Raising concerns that anyone would have, this moment rings as more significant now. Jimmy Flores called the landlord, texted, but he says the landlord was reluctant. He was told to fix it himself, but Jimmy is no electrician. Finally, after three days of asking, the landlord replaced the outlet, without diagnosing the root problem. Why did it spark? This is one of many safety issues that the family of seven was bound to by rental agreement. The struggle with the landlord continued, and eventually led the family to court. This created a public record showing Jimmy and Janelle’s rental history as tarnished, which prevented them from finding another place. They couldn’t find another place to move to. According to Jimmy, the judge told his landlord that the property was “uninhabitable”, compelling him to fix the property.
Things loosened up after that, and the family was able to make a plan to move out. They would have been out in 8 days.
Official Memorial Page:
That morning, Jimmy, the girls’ father, was at work - he had just started his new job. Janelle, the girls’ mom, needed to borrow her mother’s vehicle that day, so while four girls slept and the 12 year old Alexis was getting ready for school that morning, Janelle dropped her mom off at her job at 7:00am.
Bank Information:
By the time she got home minutes later, the home was gone, along with their precious girls. The fire marshal told them that it burned in 10 minutes, that no one could have escaped. The family reached out to this writer, through a mutual friend, to set the record straight. I met with the father, Jimmy Flores, and Janelle’s mother, Susan Secco. “I want to thank everyone for their kindness, but I can’t even go on to social media...” says grandmother, Susan Secco. The heartless and cruel comments of internet trolls, hiding their heartlessness behind their computer screens, immediately started seeding the comment threads with speculative and offensive assumptions. If you are human, you can surely understand how this tragedy doesn’t need speculative commentary. The family just wants an investigation to set things straight and find out exactly what happened. This article is part of that effort to clear the air. A donation account has been set up at MVFCU - account number 158068. Please consider donating to this family in this time of tragedy. They need us.
> www.facebook.com/ FloresQuackenbush5/
A donation account has been set up at MVFCU (Account Number 158068)
Donation Page:
> www.facebook.com/ donate/897002680463600
GoFundMe Pages:
> www.gofundme.com/ quackenbushflores-girls-fund > www.gofundme.com/ helpjanelleandjimmy
Events:
Pyra’s Pioneer Peak Pumpkin Chucking Event: > www.facebook.com/ pyrahspioneerpeakfarm Candlelight Vigil Event: > www.facebook.com/ events/1458539337563832 Klondike Mike’s Spaghetti Dinner: > www.facebook.com/ events/1907130902885605 Four Corners Lounge – Pig Roast & Music Fundraiser: > www.facebook.com/ events/471220869928805
ALASKA HOME COMPANION 2017
MORE ON PAGE 9 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE
Butte Elementary – Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser: September 22nd at 5pm-7pm. Cost is $5 for kids and $10 for adults. Shear Fire Design in Palmer is accepting monetary donations and gift cards ONLY! Great Clips in Wasilla and Palmer will match whatever is donated in MONETARY donations for the next couple of weeks. They are accepting monetary donations and gift cards ONLY!
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COMMUNITY & EVENTS
COMMUNITY PAGE 2
medication from falling in to the hands of individuals who do not hold prescriptions. Contributed by Brandi Kinney Narcan Kit Community Training 10/3/2017 – 6PM Project H.O.P.E Gathering Grounds Café 300 N Willow St. Wasilla FREE Event Opioid Task Force Community Meeting 10/3/2017 – 7PM Opioid Task Force Wasilla High School Theater 701 E Bogard Rd. Wasilla FREE Event Did you know, per capita, Alaska is the highest in opioid overdose-related deaths in the nation? (http://www.epi. alaska.gov). These epidemic numbers are the reason our governor declared a state of emergency in 2017, which led to Project H.O.P.E emerging. The purpose of Project H.O.P.E is to use secondary prevention tools to stop unnecessary deaths from occurring and prevent unused prescription
Contributed by Kenda Huling You can always count on Palmer to have something fun going on. Starting October 9, 2017, the Monday Market will be taking place at the Palmer Train Depot every Monday. Between 11:30am and 5:30pm,
Contributed by Abby Lampley Rotary Uncorked 10/7/2017 – 6PM Wasilla & Palmer Rotary Clubs Menard Sports Center 1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla Tickets: $65 Advance, $80@ Door, $10 Raffle Who doesn’t like a good carnival? On October 7th, the Wasilla and
Contributed by Vicki Thompson, Financial Advisor of Alaskan Ascent Financial Group Glaciers are formed over many years, with layer upon layer of snow compacting to form a solid ice base. Your financial base is like a glacier, made up of several layers. One important foundational layer for almost everyone is Social Security benefits. Ninety percent of Americans depend on Social Security income during their senior years. For many, this guaranteed monthly income makes up 34% of their support. Like glaciers, your Social Security benefits appear solid and unchangeable. The foundation of both are determined by many influences. As seen in this photo of Portage Glacier, it is formed by several other glaciers flowing together. This is indicated by the moraines, dark lines running the length of the ice flow,
Our first approach is distributing Narcan kits to emergency services and community members who have direct contact with individuals who may be at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose. This tactic prevents the individual from dying of an overdose and provides an opportunity for a community or family member to interject at this crucial time and provide treatment and detox options. Due to the fact that our community only has two drug-take-backs a year and no infirmary, the opportunity to dispose of unused medication is slim. Which leads us to our second prevention method: the distribution of drug disposal bags which prevents medications from getting into the wrong hands. This tool is an omnidegradable bag filled with a charcoal activated substance that, when mixed with water, absorbs the medication’s active ingredients, deeming the medication harmless in a matter of minutes.
you can find produce, food and an assortment of handmade gifts at the Monday Market. Everything you find will be either locally-grown or locally-made by locals like you! Between 7pm and 8:30pm, you can participate in a community class to learn new skills. Please register for
Palmer Rotary Clubs present to you Rotary Uncorked! This year’s theme is “Under the Big Top” and this event will be “over the top” with all that we have planned for you. There will be beer and wine tasting and carnival games, along with live and silent auctions.
If you are interested in obtaining a Narcan kit or a drug disposal bag, our next community training will be held at the Gathering Grounds Cafe (300 N Willow St. Wasilla) on October 3rd from 6:00pm to 6:30pm. This event is free and each individual will receive one Narcan kit at the end of the training. We invite all community members to attend our Opioid Task Force meeting directly after the training to discuss how to improve our community and to hear from our guest speakers. The Task Force meeting will be held from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Wasilla High School Theater. Please feel free to contact Brandi with any questions you may have at brandikinney@myhousematsu.org or 907-373-4357
your class before attending. Check out the class schedule on Facebook after October 1st. We still have vendor space, so reserve your spot now! Vendor space is $20 per week or $150 for 10 weeks if paid in full by September 20th. For more information about the Monday Market, call Kenda at 907770-3532 or mmatpd@gmail.com Facebook page at www.facebook. com/mondaymarketatpalmerdepot
now! Event tickets are $65 now and will go up to $80 at the door. Wine and beer raffle tickets are $10 each. You must be 21 years old or older to purchase tickets, and all proceeds go to MY House and other local organizations.
Happening at the Menard Sports Center, the doors open at 5:30pm and this event goes from 6pm – 9pm. So, save the date and get your tickets
For more information about Rotary Uncorked, you can visit www. rotaryuncorked.com, email joni@travelservicesinc.com, call 907-354-3382 or find us on Facebook.
where the glaciers merged together. The base of your Social Security monthly income is formed by your earnings prior to claiming and at what age you begin receiving payments. Your decisions make a firm impact on this foundation.
An interesting feature of glacial ice is the brilliant blue color you often see. This comes from light reflecting off the compacted base of the glacier. The dense ice absorbs all colors of the spectrum except blue, which bounces off for us to enjoy. It’s these vibrant blues that makes pictures of glaciers stand out in their surrounding mountains.
Referred to as “rivers of ice”, glaciers are constantly changing. Gravity pulls the glacier downhill, moving it forward. Various conditions determine the flow, which can be a few inches or several feet a day. This is called advancing. While the base amount of your Social Security payments remain the same, the monthly payment you receive can advance. This increase is influenced by various factors such as cost-of-living allowance increases and through claiming spousal, ex-spousal or survivor benefits. Glaciers also retreat by melting and calving. There is concern about the future of Social Security and whether its foundation is shrinking faster than can sustain the program at its current rate. What can be done to help prevent this reduction?
The decisions you make can form a solid foundation for your future Social Security benefits. When fully informed on all factors of decision making, you can paint a brighter, bluer future for yourself and your family. A free, educational workshop, “Savvy Social Security Planning: What You Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Income”, can help you make those important decisions. This 1-1/2 hour presentation discusses the complex rules of Social Security and how you can impact your foundational base and your future. Please call Alaskan Ascent Financial Group at 907-350-2809 to register. Visit our website at www. AlaskanAscent.com for upcoming presentation dates.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
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Contributed by Mary Ann Johnson Fall Cystic Fibrosis Bazaar 10/14/2017 – 10AM Mary Ann Johnson, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Mat-Su Career & Technical High School 2472 N Seward Meridian Pkwy., Wasilla FREE Event The Fall Cystic Fibrosis Bazaar will take place at Mat-Su Career & Technical High School on Saturday, October 14th from 10AM to 4PM. The bazaar will feature handmade crafts, Alaskan-made products, local businesses and silent auction items, from more than 80 vendors. There will be a variety of fresh, warm homemade soups, baked potato bar, nachos, baked goods, snacks and beverages. We’ll even have cotton candy and popcorn for your enjoyment! I have been coordinating fundraisers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the past 17 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 dollars 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 40 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.
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!
One way you can help our cause is attending our bazaar. 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
Contact information: Event coordinator: Mary Ann Johnson Phone/Text: 907-841-6892 Email: cffalaska@gmail.com Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ CysticFibrosisBazaar
COMMUNITY & FILM is the time to plan those winter destination fishing trips to warmer weather. And if you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than this month’s International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4™). The International Fly Fishing Film Festival returns to the Mat-Su Valley on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 7:30pm at the Glenn Massay Theater in Palmer.
Contributed by Ben Rowell International Fly Fishing Film Festival 9/29/2017 – 7:30PM Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E. College Dr. Palmer Tickets: $15 Adv., $18 @ Door While many Mat-Su anglers are enjoying prime rainbow trout fishing conditions, let’s not forget that now
Neither Wolf Nor Dog Showing September 15-22, 2017 The Valley Cinema 3331 E Old Matanuska Rd. Wasilla The power of Steven Lewis Simpson’s Neither Wolf Nor Dog is unlike any other on screen. Based on a true incident, the film begins with a mysterious summons-for-help to a white author from a 95 year old Lakota elder with one last story to tell, and climaxes at Wounded Knee, where the lead actor, Dave Bald Eagle, (“Dan”) himself lost relatives during the 1890 massacre. Bald Eagle’s unscripted soliloquy is one of the most gripping ever recorded on film; when he passed away recently at the age of 97, both NPR and the BBC reported his remarkable life story to record numbers of listeners. Based on the best-selling Native American novel by Kent Nerburn, Neither Wolf Nor Dog, takes audiences on a deeply moving road trip through contemporary and historical Lakota life and culture. Not what moviegoers have come to expect from previous iterations of white and Native culture-clash films, Neither Wolf Nor Dog has left viewers breathless and on their feet when the credits roll.
IF4™ consists of short and feature-length films produced by professional filmmakers from all corners of the globe, showcasing the passion, lifestyle and culture of fly fishing. The films at this popular event are capturing the attention of anglers around the world. IF4™ contains exclusive content and is a must see experience! “Integrity, professionalism, entertainment and ambition lace the festival,” confirms IF4™ ambassador, April Vokey. “I am comfortable attending the films whether it be
Kent Nerburn approached British filmmaker, Steven Lewis Simpson, the awardwinning filmmaker who produced and directed the movie, to take on the challenge of moving his novel onto the screen. “Yes, Steven changed the book.” says Nerburn. “Yes, he adapted it; yes, he augmented it. But he nailed it. The choices he made were exquisite. His film is at once different from the book and better than the book.” Christopher Sweeney (The Veil, Chasing Mavericks and The Man from Wailing River) portrays Nerburn, Richard Ray Whitman (American Indian Graffiti, Barking Water and Winter in the Blood) is Grover and the cast is rounded out by Roseanne Supernault (Rhymes for Young Ghouls, Strange Empire and Jamestown), Zahn McClarnon (Fargo, Longmire and The Son), Tatanka Means (Banshee, Tiger Eyes and The Son) and Harlan Standing Bear Sr. Kent Nerburn’s novel, Neither Wolf Nor Dog, has sold half a million copies worldwide. No other novel is acknowledged as so successfully bridging the gap between white
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’s 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.
FILM & COMMUNITY PAGE 3
with a 10 year old child or a fellow fishing bum; the festival is geared to entertain and inspire all ages, levels and viewpoints.” Locations featured in this year’s films include Bolivia, Iceland, Costa Rica, Idaho, British Columbia, New Zealand, Amazon rainforest, Louisiana and northern Sweden. If you can’t make the Palmer screening of IF4™, join us at our Anchorage screening on Friday, September 22, 2017 at 49th State Brewing Company. IF4™ is sponsored locally by Mossy’s Fly Shop, Cache Camper Manufacturing, Inc., FisheWear and Trout Unlimited Southcentral Alaska Chapter. Tickets are available at www.flyfilmfest.com and Mossy’s Fly Shop. IF4™ - Advance $15, Door $18. Trailers and film descriptions available www.flyfilmfest.com/ films/
American and the Native American world. The film is now opening in Wasilla, Alaska on September 15th for at least one week at the Valley Cinema. Four theaters in Alaska are showing the film - more than most of the major studio released independent films. It is unheard of for a small selfdistributed independent film to be competing with Hollywood blockbusters during the summer season and even more remarkable that it is outperforming many as well. The film, having been shot with a crew of two people, has done exceptionally well in many states beyond Alaska and has been in more theaters in the Northwest than most indie films released by the studios. It is very much a David vs. Goliath story. It has scored 8.4 out of 10 on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) and 4.8 out of 5 on Rotten Tomatoes.
HEALTH & COMMUNITY
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color. Drinking 3-4 cups a day gives the most medicinal value, but any amount is beneficial. Contributed by Dori Cranmore, All About Herbs Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a polypore mushroom that starts its life as a spore and finds its way to a weakness in a living tree, (birch trees in colder northern climates) where it grows and stores betulinic acid, beta glucans, beta carotines and a large number of vitamins and phyto-nutients, converting them to a useable form for humans and animals. Betulin is the white, shiny powdery material that is easily identified in and on the bark of a birch tree. The stored betulin and betulinic acid can help to build the strength of the liver and reduce inflammation. It also
Contributed by Laurel Carlsen, Kendra Zamzow and Judy Donegan Between Earth & Sky : A Documentary with Roots in Palmer 9/30/2017 – 7:30PM Castle Mountain Coalition Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E. College Dr. Palmer Free Admission Between Earth and Sky is a professionally directed, feature-length documentary filmed in Alaska. Literally and figuratively ground-breaking, it’s the first of its kind to explore the effects of warming arctic soils on global climate change. Produced by Dr. David Weindorf of Texas Tech University and directed by three-time Emmy Award winner, Paul Allen Hunton, the film features interviews with some of the world’s leading scientists as well as footage of the day-to-day struggle of native Alaskans living on the front lines of global warming. A spotlight is shone on the eroding island of Sarichef, home to the Inupiat village of Shishmaref. As the effects of global warming - decreasing sea ice and
Contributed by Sheri Hamming, President of Palmer Historical Society History Night Season Kick-Off 9/20/2017 – 7PM Palmer Historical Society Palmer Moose Lodge 1136 S Cobb St. Palmer FREE Event Palmer Historical Society is excited to welcome Palmer resident, Dr. Alex Hills, for our History Night Season Kick-Off on September 20th at 7:00pm at the Palmer Moose Lodge! Dr. Alex Hills spent years living in rural Alaska, where he worked on providing telecommunication services
Research has shown many benefits including:
contains B vitamins, phenols, enzymes, polysaccharides and minerals such as copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and iron. It’s also one of the world’s densest sources of pantothenic acid. We need pantothenic acid to synthesize and metabolize proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Chaga works to prevent cellular damage before it happens, leaving the immune system free to deal with more serious health issues. In Russia, they believe that the higher the chaga specimen on the tree, the higher betulitic acid content it has. Chaga tea is used in the Russian folk medicine for a wide treatment of ailments including skin, lung and stomach cancer, gastritis, ulcers, TB
and pain. Chaga extract has been an approved cancer drug in Russia since 1955. The best time to harvest chaga is midJuly to mid-November in Alaska. If a hatchet is used, always stay straight with the line of the tree. The tree will grow another specimen ready for harvest in 3-5 years. Break the chaga into small pieces to dry or it will mold. Making Chaga tea is simple. Place chaga in a pot and steep it. Chaga tea should be the color of dark coffee. Many keep it on low in a crock pot or on a wood stove and add more chaga as the tea loses its
• • • • • • • • • •
Supports healthy immune function Energy and stamina Anti-inflammatory Skin and body cell regeneration Apoptosis (cancer cell death) Supports healthy digestive system Vitamins and phyto-nutrients Helps regulate blood sugar Adaptogen Safe to use with no known side effects
Alaskan chaga chunks, powder, tea bags, chaga lotion, white chaga java, chaga chocolate bars and chaga extract is available at All About Herbs, Inc. Recommended Reading: Chaga - King of the Medicinal Mushrooms by David Wolfe (available at All About Herbs, Inc.).
increasing coastal storms - are felt, the Inupiaq are faced with a disappearing island, a nearly 200 million-dollar price to relocate and an unknown cost to their culture. Prominent soil scientists, Dr. ChienLu Ping of the University of AlaskaFairbanks, Dr. Mark Clark, and Dr. Lorene Lynn are at the core of the film. Clark and Lynn are both Mat-Su Valley residents. Their research, which spans over 35 years, underscores the local and global significance of melting permafrost. Dr. Clark explains that high latitudes, such as the Arctic, act as a storehouse for soil carbon and are particularly vulnerable regions as the climate warms. The loss of permafrost triggers the release of carbon from the soil into the atmosphere, accelerating global warming. As Clark says, “The North is the world’s thermostat.” It is in this way that what happens here affects us all. Another scientist featured is Texas Tech’s, Katharine Hayhoe, an evangelical Christian and one of the most respected experts on global warming in the country. Hayhoe is interested in why a changing climate matters to real
to people living in the villages. He lived in Kotzebue, Nome and Bethel, but worked in more than a hundred small villages across the state. This work is described in his new book, Finding Alaska’s Villages: And Connecting Them. Later Alex became a university professor. He is now a distinguished service professor at Carnegie Mellon University and affiliate distinguished professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Well known in the fields of wireless, telecommunication and networking technology, he has lectured widely and published many papers and technical reports. He holds 18 patents, issued and pending. His easy-to-understand articles in Scientific
people, how to solve it and the role of faith in fixing this global challenge. Dr. Clark says working on the documentary was an eye-opening experience. Throughout the process, he saw how science can be presented to the public in a way that is understandable and meaningful. Filming also gave him the opportunity to discuss issues with Alaska Natives, to gain a deeper appreciation for their subsistence lifestyles and how even seemingly small changes in the environment can have a detrimental effect on the survival of subsistencebased cultures.
Castle Mountain Coalition is hosting this free showing of Between Earth and Sky at the Glenn Massay Theater, located on the Mat-Su College Campus, on September 30th at 7:30pm. Immediately following the film, there will be a Q&A with executive producer, David Weindorf, as well as Mark Clark and Lorene Lynn. Visit www.castlemountain.org for more information. To view trailers, learn more about the film visit: betweenearthandskymovie.com #IamBetweenEarthAndSky
American and IEEE Spectrum have been enjoyed by readers worldwide.
with some of Alaska’s telecom pioneers to bring better service to the villages.
Alex also led the team that built Carnegie Mellon’s “Wireless Andrew” system, the world’s first large Wi-Fi network. With this work described in his book, Wi-Fi and the Bad Boys of Radio, he helped to create the vision of what Wi-Fi would later become.
Later he took charge of KOTZ, Kotzebue’s new public radio station, which he shaped into a valuable information resource for the people of the state’s huge northwest region. At each step along the way, Alex made friends with Alaska’s village people and developed a deep respect for them. He also became friends with some of Alaska’s telephone and broadcasting heroes.
Dr. Alex Hills will tell the story of how he worked in the far reaches of Alaska to provide radio and telecommunication services to the state’s villages Alex and his team traveled Alaska by bush plane and snow machine, braving extreme weather and rough terrain to get the job done. He fell into the rhythm of the villages and met Yup’ik and Inupiaq elders, learning about their strongly held values. But he also worked
The story is told in more detail in Alex’s new book, Finding Alaska’s Villages: And Connecting Them, which will be available at the event. As always History Nights are free events! We will see you there!
HEALTH & COMMUNITY
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Tourists Expect Pristine Landscapes In Alaska Contributed by Liz Jackson, Plastic Bag Committee/Hatcher Pass Bed and Breakfast “Oh, my goodness, look at the beautiful autumn colors of the plants!” exclaimed Ingrid, a visitor from Germany. “But what is that white and brown stuff there in the bushes?” she asked. “Oh, it is one of those plastic bags they give you at the stores here.” she said, obviously disappointed at the unsightly disturbance to the natural beauty around her. “I can’t believe they still use them here.”
Ingrid, a recent visitor to my bed and breakfast, Hatcher Pass Bed and Breakfast, was surprised by our use of single-use plastic bags. As a 20 year owner of Hatcher Pass Bed and Breakfast and a life-long Alaskan, I am dismayed that we still use the plastic bags that so often end up decorating our beautiful land. Many visitors to Alaska are shocked that we still use those plastic bags that are so harmful to the environment. Recognizing the dangers of plastic bags, the following countries have either banned or charged a fee for
the use of plastic bags: Denmark, Ireland, Wales, Italy, Scotland, Germany, England, Mexico, Brazil, France, Belgium, Rwanda, China, Taiwan, Macedonia, Kenya, South Africa and Bangladesh. In the United States as of 2014, 20 states and 132 cities have banned or taxed plastic bags. Indeed, in a place like Alaska awash with natural beauty and with tourism being the third largest industry in the state, it doesn’t make sense to send over 20 million plastic bags a year out the doors of stores here in the Mat Su Valley.
ACCOMMODATIONS Houston Lodge Marketplace…. 892-5124 Sunset View Resort ........ 892-8595 ADULT PIANO LESSONS Hitchcock Piano Studio ........ 745-3134 APPAREL All Seasons Clothing ........ 357-0123 D’s Tuxedo ........ 707-6585 Mimi’s Closet ........ 376-2661 ART & CRAFTS Artists Uncorked… 982-2675 Shane Lamb Gallery… 746-3343 The Gallery ........ 745-1420
they are so light, they escape from the most diligent shoppers’ hands.
BOOKSTORE Fireside Books ........ 745-2665 A Black Sheep Shop ......... 376-8198
It is our responsibility to keep our land free of debris, and that includes the elusive and runaway plastic bag!
CAFÉ & COFFEE Alaska Artisan Coffee ........ 745-5543 Espresso Café ........ 376-5282 Gathering Grounds ........ 376-4404 Vagabond Blue……..745-2233
According to the State of Alaska’s Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development’s 2014-2015 statistics, tourism is an industry in Southcentral Alaska that is estimated to generate $866 million per year and employ 19,700 people in the area. This is an industry that doesn’t ask us to build schools, hospitals or homes, but visitors do want to see the beauty of nature of portrayed in the travel brochures they have perused before traveling here.
What I have learned as I have endeavored to remove them from the landscapes is that not only are these little bags unsightly, they are deadly to our animals, waterways and fish. These bags never biodegrade - they simply break down into smaller and smaller pieces that end up remaining in the ground, waterways and eventually in the oceans. These tiny plastic pieces have been found in plankton. In the oceans, plankton is growing on the plastic and salmon are eating this plankton and the plastic as well. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the plastic ends up on our dinner plates in our salmon.
The plastic bag we all have grown accustom to receiving when shopping at the stores in our home is also the same little creature that escapes into the wind that so often frequents our Valley. Where do these pesky little bags end up? They end up tangled in the branches, bushes, fences, and roadways of our home. It is inevitable -
Our local elected officials have been looking at ways to reduce the use of plastic bags in our communities. I urge all citizens of our cities and borough to support all measures to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags. Please just say no to the use of plastic bags, and take your own sturdy, reusable bag with you when you shop.
COOKWARE All I Saw Cookware ........ 376-3177 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 Invest in Yourself Fitness .... 830-6072 HOME DÉCOR Cover Ups Designs ........ 746-4739 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
Contributed by Jannah Peterson, Diagnosed 2001 ABC treatments was the name given to the earliest FDA approved immunomodulating drugs. An immunomodulating drug is a medicine that changes how the immune system acts. Those with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have an overactive immune system that begins attacking itself, destroying the myelin sheath around the nerves in the body. It also causes “scleroids” or scar tissue to form in the brain. The ABC Drugs are used to treat relapsing forms of MS by reducing the number of exacerbations or flareups. An exacerbation is when new symptoms emerge or old symptoms get worse. They can be mild or severe enough to interfere with a person’s ability to function. The first of the ABC Drugs were: Avonex - a once weekly injection, Betaseron - injections every other day and Copaxone - an everyday injection. Those were the first FDA approved medications used for the treatment of MS. Now there are more options. There are pill forms of medication and twice a year injections, but no cure for MS.
There are four kinds of MS: 1. Relapsing-Remitting: The most common form, 85% of MS sufferers have this with relapses that bring about new symptoms. 2. Secondary-Progressive: Symptoms steadily get worse over time, with or without any relapses. Most people diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS develop Secondary-Progressive MS. 3. Primary-Progressive: About 10% of people with MS have a slowly worsening of symptoms with no relapses. 4. Progressive-Relapsing: Rare form of MS, 5% of people have it with steadily worsening of the disease with relapses and no remission. During a flare-up, many different symptoms emerge or become worse. An exacerbation is the worsening of symptoms lasting twenty-four hours or longer. Common symptoms include: numbness and tingling in one or more extremity, weakness, clumsiness in the hands or legs, loss of vision, double vision, eye pain, fatigue, depression, bladder and bowel
dysfunction, memory loss, decreased attention span, acute and chronic pain, muscle spasticity, dizziness and vertigo. After the flare-up, there is damage done in the body that it might not recover from fully. Steroid infusions such as the use of Solu-Medrol which is a potent steroid, help ease inflammation. It is used for the treatment of an acute attack. Side effects from steroid infusion include: sleep problems, metallic taste in the mouth, upset stomach, mood disturbances, weight gain and water retention, risk of infection increases and possible elevated blood sugar. Depending on the type of MS you have, most try multiple medications over the years. Betaseron and Copaxone are still very much used today. Watching the foods you eat, getting enough sleep and minimizing your stress levels also weigh hugely on the overall quality of life. So don’t give up! Be willing to try new things and learn what you can about your disease. There are new medications and new procedures that help to keep you going. You are not alone.
SMOKE SHOPS Alaska Pipe Dreams ........ 746-1500 Light It Up Head Shop…. 745-5483 SPECIALTY GIFTS Alaska Midnite Scents ........ 357-7364 THRIFT SHOPS Red Barn Thrift Store ........ 745-5050 Steam Driven Boutique ........ 376-4404 Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Stores ........ 376-5708 Willow Rose Thrift Store ......... 495-ROSE TOYS Just Imagine Toys ........ 357-1543 Learning Essentials .......... 357-3990
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COMMUNITY / OPINION Contributed by Todd Smoldon We are well into the new school year, and the honeymoon is over. Children and adolescents who were excited to see their friends have been reminded that “school” also means work, not just socializing. Teachers have long since forgotten the slower pace that they enjoyed during the summer. Parents, who were eager for their kids to be back at school and away from the video games, realize that their lives are more complicated again as they chase their children from activity to activity. Yes, the kids are back at school, but what are they learning? Twenty-five years ago, in addition to wanting to be gainfully employed, the transformative power of education was the primary reason that I went into teaching. A good education, whether it is academic or a skilled trade, not only creates incredible opportunities for those educated, but it also changes the socioeconomic status of the family tree for future generations. When a society
educates well, the huge diversity of gifts and talents that exist in communities are put to the greatest possible use. This investment in human capital maximizes our full human resource potential by creating new products, more efficient innovations and a higher standard of living. I wanted to be a part of this. I believed that every individual is far more capable than they think they are and with the right motivation and drive, their potential is almost unlimited. I still believe this about people, but unfortunately, I often see evidence that the system to which I have devoted two decades of my life is not promoting a form of education that maximizes the intellectual potential of people. Sadly, several decades ago, “we” decided that it was more important for a child to feel good about what they believe rather than be required to rationally and logically defend what they believe. Instead of encouraging our children and young adults to think critically about what they are learning and question the validity of what they are being taught, our schools have taught our children that if they feel good about it, it must be true. For a generation
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(possibly two), we have taught young people that how they feel is more important than truth. It would be easy to blame the media for this breakdown in critical thinking, because they sensationalize their coverage of violent protests like those in Berkley, California and Charlottesville, South Carolina. But the disgusting display of racism and hate from white-supremacists and neoNazis groups represents a miniscule amount of “the people on the Right”. Equivalently, the call to kill cops from some in Black Lives Matter as well as physical attacks perpetrated by Antifa, represent a very small minority of “those on the Left”. Charlottesville and other protests like it are just distractions from a problem that is less violent, but perhaps much greater. The real danger to our culture is what you do not see in the media; the silencing of rational voices in the name of “tolerance”. Why are so many in our society afraid to have reasonable discussions with people who have differing points of view? Could it be that our education system has created two generations of intellectually and emotionally fragile people?
It is time for people in local communities to decide what type of education they want for their children and young adults. In addition to skill development, critical thinking must be a priority. We owe it to our youth to teach them how to deal with disappointment and disagreement without using physical or political power to silence others. As an educator, I am begging you to get involved. Talk to your children about what they are learning. Look at their books. Don’t be afraid to calmly question curriculum and policies made by schools, school districts and universities. I am convinced that every student has amazing growth potential and can do wonderful things with their gifts and talents. However, if we do not make free thinking a priority, I fear that someday people will tear down statues of Martin Luther King, Jr. because they are offended that he was a Christian. Todd Smoldon lives in Willow, Alaska and has been a resident of Alaska for 30 years. He earned his BA in economics and Master’s degree in teaching from the University of Alaska – Anchorage, and has been teaching high school economics for almost 20 years.
FAITH / OPINION Contributed by Vic Kohring I’ve had my share of close calls through the years, from injury to illness. One of the more prominent was a neck injury from a car accident which grew progressively worse until it finally struck me down while on the campaign trail in 2002. I was running for re-election to my House seat at the time, with the usual array of opponents and criticism. The ‘02 campaign was typical - the anticonservative, anti-Christian advocates were again out in full force trying to defeat me, both Democrat and RINO Republican. The battle came from all fronts, including the leftist Anchorage Daily News who led the chorus against me that I was practically Atilla the Hun for simply wanting to achieve an efficient government and keep taxes and regulations limited. It was Sunday, November 3rd, two days before the general election that year. I was alone putting up some last minute campaign signs near the Glenn Highway in my old Peters Creek district at Eklutna. As I was nailing 2x4s together for a frame to hold up a large roadway sign, I was
Contributed by Brett Ahern Since the Spring Holy Days start with Christ’s coming (Passover) and the summer one is the Spirit in our lives (Pentecost), then the Fall Holy Days (a series of four observances) show Christ’s return to set up His worldwide Kingdom. A celebration with trumpets is followed by a Day of Atonement, then Tabernacles, with the Last Great Day as the grand finale (Leviticus 23:23-44). On the first day (a new moon) of the seventh month is a memorial - the blowing of trumpets. When did Israel have a special event that included the blowing of trumpets? At the battle of Jericho (Joshua 6), the last step to the walls collapsing so Israel could enter and take the city - the first battle of possessing the Promised Land. In Numbers 10, God instructs Israel to blow two silver trumpets for battles and each month’s new moon observance. So in the 7th month, on the first day, the seventh time trumpets were blown in the year, the seventh time also being when the walls of Jericho collapsed. How does this relate to Christ’s return? In the book of Revelation we have three sets of seven events, the second being
Contributed by Tom Stearns October is traditional for Columbus Day and Halloween. However, there are two other days that are far more important Yom Kippur and Clergy Appreciation or Pastor Appreciation Day. Yom Kippur: Yom Kippur means Day of Atonement. Appropriately, people set aside this day to atone for sins they have committed. It is a day of prayer, fasting and a time to attend the synagogue. Jewish people will also not work on this day, one of the most important days in the Jewish calendar. During Yom Kippur, people seek forgiveness from God and seek
suddenly stricken by a knife-like pain between my shoulder blades. The pain was so intense, it nearly paralyzed me and caused me to fall to the ground in agony. The worst I ever experienced. I had no idea what was going on. Perhaps a heart attack or stroke? The pain was so severe, it had me in tears and crying to God for help. I managed to crawl inside my truck, sit up just enough to see over the dashboard and drive to the emergency room of the old Valley Hospital in Palmer. I was placed on morphine with an IV while they assessed my situation. The hospital staff, as competent as they were, erroneously focused on my back, not realizing the source of the pain was elsewhere. I was declared “OK” and sent home after several hours of observation with an inconclusive diagnosis. But a follow-up MRI revealed that the nerves in my neck were compromised by injury which was in-turn causing pain in my mid-back. A cross section image of my spinal cord showed it flattened like a pancake from a disc which had ruptured inward at C3/C4. The doctor declared my condition exceptionally serious and warranting immediate surgery. It was shocking. the blowing of seven trumpets. As the sixth trumpet ends, two witnesses are raised up to proclaim God’s glory with miracles, calling for repentance. They are killed, resurrected and a great earthquake destroys walls in a great city. A heavenly host proclaims that now the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of Christ. This is the great, “Victory is ours!” cry of the commander as He leads His troops into battle. Scripture tells us (Mark 13:2427 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) that as Christ returns, we are resurrected to join Him at that last trumpet blast to be by His side as He wages war at the Battle of Armageddon. What we call Armageddon, Scripture calls the Day of the Lord. When we read in Revelation 1 that John was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day”, the early church understood He had a prophetic experience regarding that time period. The next Holy Day, the Day of Atonement, is specifically about the Day of the Lord. Please take time to read Leviticus chapter 16, a detailed account of the Day of Atonement sacrifices. If you list every step, you will find similarities to Revelation. I suggest the most accurate way to understand Revelation, especially after the 6th trumpet blast, is to read it in light of the Day of Atonement. to give and receive forgiveness and reconciliation with others. Leviticus 16:29-31 explains this day. “And this shall be a statute forever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country or a stranger that sojourneth among you. For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you so that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. It shall be a Sabbath of rest unto you and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute forever.” This year Yom Kippur will begin at sunset on September 29, 2017. Pastor Appreciation Day History: October is Pastor Appreciation
The next day, a few days after my successful re-election, I was on a flight to Seattle, where I checked into Virginia Mason Medical Center to consult with a surgeon. Not satisfied with his insistence that I proceed with a multi-layer fusion which essentially would have locked up half my neck, I was referred to Harborview Medical Center, well known as a trauma facility. Then it was a specialty clinic with the Seattle Seahawks primary orthopedic surgeon. Armed with a consensus that my condition was indeed chronic, I concluded I should find the best hospital and surgeon in the country. Operating on the spine was not a simple matter after all. And if I was going to be altered forever by a knife, I wanted the best. Ultimately, my odyssey took me to the vaunted Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota where I found myself a patient of the hospital’s chief neurosurgeon. However, he warned me that I risked paralysis from the neck down should I sustain another injury before the corrective surgery and ordered me confined to my room until it could be performed. He explained that my condition was so perilous that even a modest whiplash in an auto wreck could
Atonement is in the 7th month on the 10th day. The beast power of the world, which is destroying the world and taking all of us down with it, is represented by destruction on this day. It is described as a beast with seven heads wearing ten crowns, showing this day is about that event. It is a solemn Fast Day; extreme grief shuts down all hungers. While God’s heart can’t stand the massive death and destruction on this day, it’s necessary to preserve human life on our planet (Matthew 24:22) and save Israel from destruction. As our Father’s children, we also grieve. The end of the Day of the Lord launches a new way of life on earth. The old systems of power are broken; Satan is locked away (Revelation 20). Christ rules in Jerusalem, Israel believes and healing flows out to all nations. People come to Jerusalem on God’s sabbaths, new moons and holy days to be taught (Isaiah 66 and Zechariah 14) the way of Christ’s life. His people are rewarded with eternal life and sent to cities and nations, bringing them into the way. God’s utopian kingdom spreads, systematically eradicating everything against humanity. This is pictured by the Holy Day Week of Tabernacles, the great harvest feast of perpetually increasing joy, with diminishing self-centeredness. Month and October 8, 2017 is Pastor Appreciation Day. Pastor Appreciation should be more than just a designated event on the calendar. The focus is to challenge churches and congregations to honor and encourage pastors throughout the year. Clergy Appreciation Month began in 1992 as a way to encourage congregations to show their appreciation, love and support for their pastors. This affirmation can provide new life and energy for a pastor who may be dealing with burnout, disillusionment, frustration, isolation or stress. Because pastors are often “on call” around the clock, special recognition for the work they do is more than called for. (http://www.pastor-gifts.com/pastor-
sever the cord in my cervical (neck) area and that I should therefore avoid cars at all cost as a precaution. Surgery was immediately scheduled and I reported to the hospital a couple days later - the day after Christmas on December 26, 2002 - where two surgeons, a neurological and orthopedic, removed the damaged disk which relieved the pressure off the cord and allowed it to eventually return to a normal, healthy round shape. They also fused my neck to stabilize it, using screws and a titanium plate as well as cadaver bone from a donor to fill in the space around the vertebrae. The procedure was limited to a single level, but I was cautioned that a multiple fusion would likely be needed down the road given the severity of my injury. The operation literally saved me as I could have been paralyzed and lived the rest of my life as a quadriplegic. I was pulled back from the brink - a very close call. I believe that God directed me to Mayo Clinic, placing me in the hands of one of the top neurosurgeons at arguably the world’s best hospital. Fifteen years later to this day and through God’s saving grace, I’m doing fine. Now the Last Great Day of Utopia, the grand finale, is approaching. With all things restored to their original creation order, purpose and function, a final test is set in motion. Satan’s briefly released for a season, influencing those whose hearts even now want to rebel, assisting them to form a final resistance movement. After God removes this new cancer, a final resurrection of all the dead occurs - separating those out whose life showed no care for higher values, with no matching works to show. They are put to death forever (Revelation 20). All issues addressed, all questions answered, all history resolved. Then God transforms heaven and earth, the New Jerusalem descends to earth and God Himself comes down to live here with us. This transformation of heaven and earth includes us, healing our remaining pain: “And God will wipe every tear from their eyes; their will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There will be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 Due to lack of space, there is a footnote to this article, explaining Jesus’ answer to the question, “When will these things be?” You can email me for this information at brettact2@earthlink.net
appreciation-daymonth) First Timothy 5:17 states, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.” First Thessalonians 5:12-13 states, “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” This month I would challenge you to consider your soul. Pray, fast, seek forgiveness from God, forgive others, and trust Yeshua (Jesus) as your Messiah (Savior). Then honor your rabbi or pastor. Chaplain@alaskaseniors.com or call 907-715-4001
COMMUNITY
POLITICS / OPINION Contributed by Linda Combs Hi neighbors. I am Linda Combs and I have worked alongside you, the city residents and the business community, for the past 31 years to insure that our community serves all to the best of its abilities. Palmer’s success to date has been built upon previous generations’ careful attention to basic services such as roads, water and sewer service, as well as police and fire protection. This has made our town “Alaska at its Best”. I am asking for your vote on October 3rd for Palmer City Council to allow me to continue to serve you and our delightful community. My involvement in Palmer over the past three decades has included all areas and interests in this beautiful community. I routinely support and attend school programs that enhance our great school district. In particular, I have been very active in the Sister Schools Exchange with our Sister City of 37 years, Saroma, Japan. This past week, I was honored to welcome our current visitors in
Contributed by Mike Dryden, Wasilla City Council Member Moose season is upon us; the fair has closed until next year, canning jars are flying off the shelves and Wasilla City elections are next month. All of these events are important, but take the time to attend a city council meeting before you go to the polls. On the October ballot will be the issue of whether to approve the funding of a new proposed police station, and the City is asking the voters for a temporary sales tax increase to forward fund the project. Unlike some our southern neighbors across the Knik Arm, Wasilla prefers to have the money before embarking on a major capital project. By paying for the construction cost before breaking ground, the city’s budget will only increase as operation and maintenance cost rise and not have long-term bonds that kids in middle school today will have to pay for in the future. This public sector funding method keeps Wasilla on a sound financial footing. Some cities bond for everything - fast depreciating equipment, paint for buildings, tar
Contributed by Michelle Overstreet Wasilla Mayor, Bert Cottle, has really set the bar high for leadership in Wasilla. He has been mayor for three years and in that time: Wasilla (finally!) has a new library; the ribbon cutting was celebrated by folks from the Butte and Palmer to Willow and Talkeetna, 200 new businesses have opened in Wasilla offering food, retail sales and fun and the downtown improvement overlay has encouraged many businesses to re-face their buildings
Contributed by Rose M Teich It is with great pleasure that we write this letter of support for our current City of Wasilla Mayor, Bert Cottle. We are fortunate enough to belong to a few organizations Mayor Cottle and his extremely supportive wife, Cathy Cottle, also belong to, such as the Wasilla VFW and Pioneers of Alaska. We can absolutely, and without reservation, state that he is 100% committed to these, among many other various organizations. Bert Cottle has brought many positive changes to our community
a ceremony at PJMS. And in the next few days, I will be present to witness a historic signing of official documents between MSBSD and the Saroma School District recognizing this important relationship. In the past month alone, I have attended a ground breaking for a new medical facility at Mat Su Regional Hospital. Then I attended and testified as well in favor of a new facility consisting of 36 inpatient behavioral health beds for adult substance abuse and mental health services in the Mat-Su Borough.
constituents have had with the city manager, the mayor and others. I receive regular communications through phone calls, e-mails and being approached when I am out and about. Open and frequent communication is a big part of what I have promoted these past six years and I firmly believe it has paid off.
I have attended the Palmer Greater Chamber of Commerce each week as I have done for the past seven years in order to be available to our business community as a conduit for their concerns for City Hall. Many of our businesses in Palmer are owned and operated by remarkable individuals who do not live in our city limits. I have always advocated that their voices need to be represented and will continue to do so.
If you ask around the community, you will be told that I have consistently represented our citizens’ concerns and have unfailingly served to the very best of my abilities. The examples above are just a small sample. I do sincerely believe that Palmer is poised to weather the current recession in a reasonably comfortable manner as long as the visions and plans the Council of the past five years are continued to be implemented. Government processes can certainly be lengthy; however, it provides the means to be organized in a manner in which with deliberate care may be taken in order to best serve the interests of the majority of the community.
Besides attending the regularlyheld City Council meeting two weeks ago, I have been in City Hall at least three times a week to follow up on concerns I or some of my
Once again, I am asking that you will vote on October 3rd in the City of Palmer Election, and a vote for me will allow me to continue to serve and represent you.
for the roof and even personnel cost. This irrational method of public sector funding is fiscal suicide. The list of insolvent cities, counties, commonwealths and states that borrowed money to pay for current operation and maintenance cost is long and distinguished - California, Hartford, Detroit, Chicago, Puerto Rico, Jefferson County, Alabama and the list grows longer by the day. The government’s listed above borrowed money to pay for expenses that should have become paid from current operating budgets. We heard testimony at one of our recent council meetings concerning building a new police complex on the old Iditarod School site, and all participants made some great points. We even had supporters of bonding for the project and of course supporters of doing nothing. After careful consideration, the council decided to let the voters decide if public safety in 2020 is a priority. The Mayor and the City Council depends on the professional advice of our appointed department heads as well as the input from the public to guide us on matters of public safety and funding. While only the residents of Wasilla will have a vote on this measure, all that come to shop in Wasilla will be affected.
for an updated look! The Value Village mall is looking great, the Credit Union building got a paint job and many of the shops on Main Street are looking sharp after makeovers. The sales tax has gone down by a half penny, as promised, and the police are doing a great job of balancing the increases in crime and the homeless population as a result of the opiate epidemic. There have even been cases of officers dropping homeless youth at the local homeless youth drop-in center as a result of the support the mayor has given to the programs training clients for jobs there. Bert Cottle has supported the youth in this community in many ways,
since he has become the mayor. Just to name a few: 1. Our community has received a very much-needed increase to our Wasilla police force. 2. Mayor Cottle is due credit for the many beautification and important ongoing projects constantly happening in Wasilla. 3. Mayor Cottle is a sincere, very caring and loving advocate for children and is concerned for the well-being of their futures. 4. Mayor Cottle attends as many community meetings, school board meetings and functions as possible to support his beliefs in the importance of being involved. He believes the people’s voices need to be and should be heard.
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The council allows anyone would like to speak three minutes to do so and many take advantage of the opportunity. Since the proposed police complex is in its early planning stages, no hard figures are available at this time as I had hoped. If the voters approve the sales tax increase, planning will commence immediately with a site inspection and design planning, and the public will be able to review the process as it progresses. Public testimony on whether to approve a ban on plastic bags in the city is being discussed. The ban has been in the news as of late on the Borough level, but Wasilla has been gathering input from the major retailer on the impact if enacted for months. A special Town Hall meeting was recently held on the bag ban, and the turnout was impressive. As usual, many different points of views were expressed, and all had their three minutes to shine. Only the major retailers would be affected while small shops could continue to use plastic bags. As much as we all like to discuss the macro-scale issues facing our nation and state, it’s at the local level where you can make a difference. Public participation the democratic process is not just your right but your duty. Until next month, be safe.
encouraging programs and activities that are healthy and working to stop crime. Finally, Bert Cottle is a hometown mayor, born and raised here in the Valley. He has the best interests of this town and the people at heart. He has demonstrated leadership, is extremely experienced having been the Mayor of Valdez before becoming the Mayor of Wasilla. He attends all the meetings for the Borough Assembly, local coalitions and partnerships and keeps a finger on the pulse of what is happening in the Valley. He is dedicated and hardworking, and would be a great asset to Wasilla for another three years.
5. Mayor Cottle is a Valley born and raised citizen. He is aware the Valley is growing at a great rate and needs to keep up with the increasing population. He is also one of the most fair and honest people we know. 6. He has an open ear to anyone and everyone that has an opinion/idea or simply to converse.
The above list only begins to address the numerous positive things Mayor Cottle has done for our beautiful community, not including yearround events for individuals as well as families during only his first term as Mayor of Wasilla. We are excited to see what he can do for Wasilla when he is elected for a second term! Craig and Rose Teich
Contributed by Loren Means for Mayor Election season is upon us again, and the signs are popping up. Is it just me, or does there seem to be fewer this year than in past years? As for myself in my run in the Loren Means for Wasilla Mayoral race, there are fewer signs, as I am not putting up any. ZERO. ZILCH. I evaluated my race in 2014 where I did use signs, and found that the expense factored into the votes that I received resulted in it costing over $27.00 per vote, because the signs are so expensive. And the effort! So much work to put them out, to pick them up after wind storms and to replace after vandalism. And not one of those signs cast a vote. Some of you do. And now the city has a new sign ordinance and they pick up signs that are in the wrong place, even yard sale signs and merchant’s signs. I imagine Code Enforcement is kept much busier now that it has this new task to manage. So this election, I have decided to run a smaller, simpler campaign, one that would mirror the smaller, simpler city government that I would like to see in Wasilla. In these recessionary times, with people losing jobs, businesses closing, rentals vacant and many homes empty and for sale, smaller seems right. The main reason that I run to remove an incumbent mayor is that I do not think the time is right to increase out sales tax by 50% to spend millions of dollars on a building that the mayor admits that we “can make do” without. If we raise our sales tax, and the Borough and State pile on with taxes of their own, we could see a local tax of 7% or 8% in the next few years. Some people like to compare and say, the tax is 9.2% in Arizona, and ours won’t be that high. The fact is, sales tax affects the lowest income people the hardest, especially when buying essentials like food and medicine. Times are tough enough without this additional burden. So what do I think the solution might be? I think we need to hold steady with our current sales tax. Maintain the city during this recession and encourage business with less restriction, and allow Wasilla to emerge from this slow down to flourish again. A wait and see attitude will allow us, the voters, to make informed decisions after the Borough and State implement their taxes, since staying small does not seem to be the priority for those officials. Election Day is Tuesday, October 3rd. Be sure to vote on both sides of your ballot, as the sales tax increase question is on the BACK of the ballot.
POLITICS / OPINION Contributed by Rep. David Eastman I stood silently in the early morning hours as we awaited the moment (5:58am Alaska time) when the first tower fell, and thirty minutes later (6:28am) when the second tower fell. We marked each with a long and heartfelt moment of silence. By the time the second tower fell on the morning of September 11th, the Pentagon had already been burning for almost an hour. Standing next to me was my father-inlaw, a city cop for more than 30 years. All around us in the darkness were fellow firefighters from the Mat-Su, who come together each September 11th to honor the sacrifices that were made that day. For a brief moment, I was transported back to September 14, 2001 at West Point, the night we held a silent vigil for all who had been lost that week. For my West Point classmates and I, 9/11 provided a moment of clarity. Some of my classmates lost parents in the attack on the Pentagon. Some traveled the forty miles to Ground Zero and searched for survivors amid the rubble. All of us knew with certainty that upon graduation we would be heading overseas for wartime deployments, and that some of us would not be coming back. That
Contributed by Wes Keller Have you ever considered running for political office? Have you wondered what motivates others to run for office? The act of filing to be a candidate reminds me of pushing boulders off a high mountain slope - something many of us have done (or been tempted to do). It’s often easy enough to start the boulder rolling and the results can be dramatic. Similar to starting a boulder downhill, the results can be dramatic in government too, the evidence being the current government we have. In America, it’s easy to start the boulder (file to run for office), as it should be. The qualifications are fundamental and attainable to allow equal opportunity.
Contributed by Kenni Linden “Psenak”, www.VoteKenni.com Currently, Palmer City Council members are not bound by term limits. This leads to decades of lackluster community engagement, voter apathy and a “this is how we’ve always done it” mentality. During the summer of 2016 in response
Contributed by Kevin S. Baker, Bakers Campaign I am running for Mayor of Wasilla. Our past administrations have relied heavily on the general sales taxes for increasing the size of government. The business owners in Wasilla are already competing with both outside city limits and Anchorage businesses. An increase in the general sales tax will cause damage. We need to find other ways to cut expenses while raising new moneys. Wasilla’s spending habits and budget shortfalls needs more accountability. An example is Wasilla’s Sports Center which requires $700,000 to $800,000 in
knowledge provided us the time to consider what we would be fighting for, and whether it was truly worth the cost. Not every soldier is afforded that opportunity. G.K. Chesterton perhaps captures best what many veterans have learned through experience: “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” You do not climb to the 78th story of the World Trade Center with 100 lbs. of firefighting equipment without knowing what you are fighting for. You do not put yourself in that place by accident. You choose to go there, and then you train hard so that when duty calls, you are prepared to answer that call. It was to honor the sacrifice of men like Ronald Bucca and Orio Palmer, two firefighters who gave their lives on the 78th floor of the South Tower, which Congress awarded the highest honor Congress can bestow and established September 11th as Patriot Day. Today, we honor the memory of those who perished, and the heroism and courage of those true patriots who came to their support and to whom our nation owes so much. Their actions were noble. Those who have succumbed to the poison of political correctness cringe from such
If you know history at all, you know this is a departure from what is “normal” in human government. You were born into it; unless you are an immigrant, you did not choose to be part of this great governing experiment. Every human inherits some form of human government, no exceptions. Ours is radically unique. Throughout history, people have had to adapt to patriarchies, monarchies, oligarchies, democracies and republics - every one of which is some variation of human authority allocation and has its own definition of sovereignty. The range of possibilities vary from one man having it all (monarchy) to nobody in charge (anarchy). Regardless of where a person finds himself in this spectrum, he or she cannot escape the task of balancing his or her innate personal drives and autonomy (limited sovereignty) with the “rules” imposed by the human sovereign of that given society. In
to popular demand, the Palmer City Council considered member term limits. The overwhelming majority of public input was in favor. The motion ultimately failed. Both incumbents running for re-election this October, were opposed to adopting term limits for city council members.
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an acknowledgment, if they even acknowledge Patriot Day at all. They would rather focus on victims and victimhood than on acts of courage and heroism. A society of victims is easier to reshape according to a politically correct mold, than a society of Americans exercising personal responsibility, grateful to their heroes and empowered to pass on that heritage to the next generation. It is examples of courage and true heroism that we need most today. Heroism inspires bravery in even the most unlikely of places, and leads us to act with greater courage than we thought we had. We do not honor heroism to inspire our heroes to act more heroically. We honor heroism because it is a noble thing, and for the effect that it can have on the faint of heart among us. Endless stories of victimhood, on the other hand, inspire only passivity and inaction. On 9/11, Ziad Samir Jarrah and three other Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked Flight 93. They chose the date September 11th with care, intending to destroy either the White House or the U.S. Capitol Building, and in so doing to help blot out the military defeat of Muslim forces at the Battle of Vienna on September 11th in 1683. After subduing the unarmed crew, only one thing stood between the hijackers and their goal: the passengers. To keep the passengers from getting in the way, Ziad Samir Jarrah made
America, we all inherit a vestige of sovereignty by being one of “We the people…” Definitions of sovereignty will always be qualified by religion. Christians, Jews and others share the foundational belief that there is only one God and He is the only real Sovereign. Any human authority is ultimately initiated or tolerated by Him. If you think these religious tenets are not an integral part of America, you have been duped. As our Declaration of Independence puts it, “God is the Supreme Judge and the source of nature’s law. [People] assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of Nature’s God entitle them…” At the end, the signers appeal to “the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions”. These words expose the underlying foundational values that have shaped America’s cultural definition of sovereignty (freedom). God makes the rules and He enforces justice
doing great things to make Palmer even better. We pride ourselves on our welcoming small town heart. Our city council should embrace this welcoming spirit and encourage dedicated residents to get involved.
an announcement over the plane’s loudspeakers: “Ladies and gentlemen: Here the captain, please sit down and keep remaining seating. We have a bomb on board. So sit.” He followed a little while later with a longer message: “Ah. Here’s the captain; I would like to tell you all to remain seated. We have a bomb aboard and we are going back to the airport, and we have our demands. So, please remain quiet.” They chose not to. Never forget, the White House and the U.S. Capitol still stand today because the men and women aboard Flight 93 saw through the lies, left their seats and fought for their own lives and the lives of their fellow passengers. Today is the day we honor their memory, their courage, and their bravery. Let the scoffers say what they will, but there is still much beauty in this country; in her people, in her history, in her Constitution and in her heroes. It is love for each of these things that inspires true soldiers to continue to fight for her future despite the pundits who so loudly insist today that patriotism has gone out of style. Rep. David Eastman represents rural Mat-Su in the Alaska House of Representatives. He ran on a platform of fighting for genuine conservative reform, fiscally and socially, and remains committed to delivering on that promise.
based on those rules. In America, our constitution reveals clearly that we know human sovereignty is dangerous and must be limited. Most concur government restriction of freedom is acceptable to attain safety (speed laws for example), and we all fight bitterly when legislating laws to restrict any freedom that we feel is part of our birthright. Typically, kings of old did not choose to be kings. They inherited the authority, often before they even had the ability to understand right from wrong, much less the wisdom to make just sovereign decisions! Likewise, in America, we are born with a share of “commonly-owned sovereignty” before we know how to use it. We the people (not a king) hold complete responsibility for secular law. Ideally, civic awareness brings us to the sobering realization of this sacred responsibility - to vote or somehow do our best to protect and preserve our
We should encourage those passionate community members to lend their expertise and serve the City of Palmer. Too often, new candidates feel defeated before ever choosing to run. We need fresh eyes and new perspectives.
Palmer City Council candidate, Kenni Linden “Psenak”, firmly believes that city council member term limits will encourage new and fruitful discussion within the city. Palmer is full of some of the best and brightest.
Public service is just that - service. We appreciate the gift of time and dedication that members give to the council. Term limits will encourage community-wide engagement, better voter buy-in and innovative city growth. Vote October 3rd!
vehicles were stolen from us. We know what it is feels like when your business is burglarized. Each time the bad guys were caught, not much happened.
As mayor, I would promote Wasilla as a destination, reversing the current Valley stigmas, benefiting both large and small businesses.
As mayor, I will meet with police department and others while promoting the State of Alaska’s legislators repealing SB 91. Increasing the size of our police force won’t accomplish much until our law makers reconsider SB 91.
Over the years, the city’s residence voices have been primarily ignored by current administration. Closing that communication gap is necessarily for our future goals and ideas. As mayor, my citizens will be more important than ever before. A lifelong Christian, my motto is, “Let go of what was and have faith in what will be.”
The voters in the Mat-Su Borough approved a cigarette sales (sin) tax, likewise a cannabis sales (sin) tax appears appropriate.
Funding for public education has decreased over the years, in particular extra-curricular activities. Keeping our kids entertained with activities is crucial for future well-being. Making the future better for our kids, teachers and schools situated in Wasilla is near the top of my list of priorities.
I am anti-crime or against crime. My wife and I know what it feels like when your home is invaded. We know what it feels like when not one, but two
About 500,000 tourist travel through Wasilla each year. With all of our city’s attributes, there isn’t any reason we shouldn’t have more tourists stop in.
The City of Palmer is fortunate to have incredible residents. People who give endlessly to our community, to small businesses and to organizations
funding from the general account just to maintain. We need to find a way to make this profitable. A yearly operating loss makes no sense. As Wasilla’s mayor, I’ll meet with department heads to come up with solutions for increase revenues at the Sports Center. As an example… as mentioned by many vendors… there needs to be a reader event sign at the corner of Parks Highway and S. Clapp Road, attracting traffic from Parks Highway is critical for the Sports Center’s future existence.
Please vote for me on October Three (3). Thanks, Kevin S Baker BakersCampaign.com Kevin@BakersCampaign.com 230 E Paulson Avenue Suite 68 Wasilla, AK 99654
POLITICS / OPINION Contributed by Bert Cottle It’s been three years already since I was elected as Mayor of Wasilla, though it seems just like yesterday. For anyone who doesn’t know me, I was born and raised here in Wasilla. I graduated from Wasilla High School and Trinidad State College in Colorado, majoring in law enforcement. Upon graduation, I moved to Valdez where I spent 22 years as a police officer and 8 years as police chief. I also am a graduate of the Northwestern University Management Program and the FBI Academy. After retiring from the Police Department, I worked at North Pacific Fuel as office manager for 11 years. I have served as the City of Valdez
Contributed by Ted Leonard In the last issue of The People’s Paper, I introduced myself as a candidate for Assembly (District 4) for the Mat-Su Borough. In this article, I want to share with the voters what I see the Borough’s role is in improving the quality of life and releasing the engine of economic development to produce good paying jobs for our residents. The Borough needs to: Provide needed services at reasonable cost: The Borough needs to go through a systematic process to identify the essential services that the public needs, ensure that the Borough is utilizing the most efficient and costeffective delivery method to provide those services and ensure that the Borough is providing quality service to our residents. Before the Borough resorts to dramatically increasing taxes through a new sales tax (or increased property taxes), we need to ensure that all current tax dollars are being well spent and for needed services. Have a reasonable, consistent and predictable tax policy: Business will not be attracted to our borough if they find our tax policies could price them out of the market. New businesses bring new jobs, bring more opportunities for our citizens and increase our tax base which can bring tax relief to the current property owners. Adopt reasonable, fair, consistent and predictable regulations: Our regulations must protect our citizenry and our way of life, and yet not be an impediment to economic development. Provide for a community where people want to live and raise their families: We live in a beautiful community with recreation opportunities all around us. We also offer a lower cost of housing and property than other parts of Southcentral Alaska. We must preserve this borough as the most wonderful place to live in Alaska.
inherent rights. Some are honorable to the level of choosing to risk everything, fighting in our military and answering to the responsibility to protect our rights, while others don’t even bother to vote. God bless those who unselfishly serve. Responding to a sense of civic responsibility is the only valid reason to run for office. By our culture’s definition, an honorable decision to run for office (or serve in the military) cannot be legitimately separated from its impact on individual or “commonly-owned sovereignty” (freedom). The question/s of rank in the chain of authority cannot be avoided.
Mayor for 10 years, Valdez City Council for 11 years, Alaska Gasline Port Authority for 12 years – past chairman, Alaska Municipal League for 6 years – past board president, Alaska Alcohol Beverage Control Board for 3 years, State Homeland Security Task Force and Wasilla Deputy Administrator for 3 years. So, what has happened during the time I have been your mayor, what promises did I make three years ago and where are we now? Three years ago when I asked for your vote, I listed four goals that I had to keep Wasilla first and moving forward. 1. Fiscally Responsible Government: With no money coming from the federal or state government and deficit spending coming out of Juneau, we must have a mayor who will not only be fiscally conservative, but must also be fiscally responsible with the budget. This goal has not changed and we have remained fiscally conservative and fiscally responsible.
Invest in needed infrastructure required to support our population growth and economic development: This infrastructure includes roads, energy, utilities, housing, schools and secure neighborhoods. Ensure that public safety and the security of neighborhoods are of prime importance: Having robust police, fire and EMS readily available is a priority. These are the essential services government should provide. The Borough must work in conjunction with the State and the Cities to ensure that our citizens are safe and secure anywhere in the community and especially in their own home. Provide for a trained, energetic and educated workforce that is available to assure economic development: We must pursue a strong education system that will provide the needed skills at all levels of labor, management, services and professions. To a great measure, our schools set the course for our future. We must pay very close attention to our education system to be certain our children are receiving a quality education that will ensure that they can work and thrive in a global marketplace. Develop our natural resources: Our natural resources are our greatest source of potential wealth. We must develop these potential value resources wisely to convert them into actual wealth that can be transferred to the members of our community. Together we can achieve the goals of growing our economy to create new jobs and to grow our tax base, financing needed infrastructure, supporting our public safety and providing our children a quality education if we have a government that is accountable to our residents, that delivers essential services effectively, that supports well planned development and limits negative interference in business and our daily lives.
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2. Forward Funding of Large Capital Projects: Forward funding the new library saved Wasilla taxpayers three million dollars. I believe if voters want something today, then the voters of today should pay for that project and not put our children and grandchildren in debt for the next 30 years. 3. Continued Economic Growth: For Wasilla to grow and continue to not have a Wasilla property tax, we must also continue to be the business hub of the Valley. In August 2014 when I was elected mayor, we had 1,917 active business licenses. In August 2017, we had 2,244 active business licenses. Having a user-friendly government ensures continued development and growth. My motto being, “If our business community makes money, then Wasilla will make money and Wasilla will continue to grow.” 4. Improved Transportation Corridors: Improving transportation corridors throughout Wasilla is good for economic growth, business access,
Contributed by Brad Hanson Most people who know me will agree that I am a much better Palmer Councilman than I am a politician or campaigner. Campaigns are, however, an important part of the process, so I will do my best to again earn your trust and vote as I have in the past. I am honored to serve as your councilman because I know that the decisions made at City Hall affect our lives, our families, homes, businesses and the quality of life that we enjoy as Palmer residents. Carolyn and I and our kids Michael, Jared and Haley live, work and volunteer in Palmer. Our investments are not only financial in our home and businesses, but socially and emotionally. We are proud that we have worked hard and made contributions to make Palmer a great place to live. My commitment to you as a city councilman will be the same it has been for the last nineteen years. I will continue to be a good steward of your tax dollars. Voters entrust elected officials to make prudent, effective decisions on where, why and how your tax dollars are invested in this community. I have a proven record of making the right decisions for Palmer. Our community is attractive, city government is run efficiently, our infrastructure is in great shape, our community is safe, our business community is healthy and we continue to serve as the base for both government and institutional entities for the Valley. These things don’t happen by accident. They are the result of listening, planning and following through with countless hours of hard work.
I want to serve our great community and believe I am the right candidate at the right time. I would be grateful for your support and humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, October 3rd.
Nobody in any culture, escapes having to discover what authority they are under and what authority they have. This quest inevitably includes discovery and maintenance at some level of human sovereignty. Some become control freaks, while others seem passive and submissive. One human might happily choose to obey a kind and just ruler; another may be forced to obey a cruel tyrant simply to avoid pain or death. In politics, the scramble to get the best seat in the room often obscures the legitimate role of being a public servant. Alaskan legislators must come to terms with the fact that their attained sovereignty level is merely a 1/60th share of the state’s law-making/ appropriations branch of government.
movement of goods and needed for public safety. In the past three years, the City has purchased land with a grant for the new train stop, opened Mack/ Clapp Road, began work on the Centaur Extension for the Knik Goose Bay Road Couplet, began work on the new Riley Street extension which will open in 2018 and began work on the new Roberts Street extension due to open in 2019. Lastly, we have opened two new parks in Wasilla in the last three years, and we have just completed surveying a ¾ mile walking trail around the Menard Center to open in 2018. For the past three years, I have been honored to serve as your mayor. I have tried to attend as many Borough Assembly and School Board meetings as possible, as well as numerous public meetings to represent the views and direction of the City of Wasilla. Without this representation, Wasilla will not be heard. When re-elected, I promise to always keep Wasilla first. Please vote October 3rd.
I have, and will continue to be a champion for the change necessary to keep up with the values of the Palmer community. We must finish infrastructure projects that are nearing completion, including gravel to pavement street improvements, wastewater treatment facility upgrades, steel main replacement and upgrades at the airport. These projects will poise Palmer to attract future investment and good local jobs. Additionally, Palmer has positioned itself as a leader in recreational opportunities. Bike paths need to be connected to complete the trail system, and our incredible hiking trails around Palmer can be better promoted. This investment is paying off. Palmer once again is becoming the social center for the area. People come into town to enjoy an event, shop downtown, ride their bikes on the many bike paths or eat at a local restaurant. The city also faces many challenges. Uncertainty at the state level impacts our budget issues. I have been a champion to make sure we have enough reserves to withstand a downturn in our economy. As a result of conservative budgeting, we have savings to ensure a prosperous and healthy future. However, you need somebody that understands the financial realities of the future. I respectfully ask that you cast your vote for a competent, experienced city council member that understands the issues and has the ability to get things done. Palmer is a well-run city and our future is bright. I will continue to work hard to protect our fiscal certainty and be a good steward of your tax dollars. Help me continue fighting for you and your values by voting for Brad Hanson on October 3rd.
www.THEPEOPLESPAPER.news
There is the potential for a very high level of power and responsibility depending on alignment with the will of 31 of the 60 shares. This can be a painful realization for some more than others. Any legislator’s effectiveness depends far more on his or her ability to strategically and graciously compromise (surrender) power, rather than exercising that power. No matter how you analyze it, the key to success in the legislature is based more on wise limiting of personal sovereignty than on striving to expand it. First and foremost, a legislator must realize he or she is under the Supreme Judge and His laws and then, being under that authority, how to merge integrity and deference to the needs and desires of other legislators and constituents.
In conclusion, I’m implying Alaskans elect too many legislators who run for office for selfish and inappropriate reasons - to satisfy a lust for esteem and power as opposed to having a sense of civic responsibility. While that may seem to be an arrogant judgment, it is nonetheless, true in my opinion. The irony: neither esteem nor power are easy to come by in the legislature. By definition, an effective public servant actually must be willing to sacrifice esteem and authority in deference to the task of representing the constituents (We the people). It is noble to aspire to be elected, but not to be selfish or power-hungry. Wes Keller|WesKeller.com
PETS & ANIMALS Contributed by Angie Lewis, President of Alaska Animal Advocates Cats can be strange creatures; there is no denying. Almost 50% of households in the United States have the pleasure of having at least one cat. Trust me, the people in these homes often wonder just what makes their kitty tick. Here are some strange behaviors that all of us, who love cats, have witnessed from our feline friends: > Making direct eye contact is something that many animals do not enjoy, as it can be interpreted as an act of dominance. So, many cats will avoid looking directly into their human’s eyes. Often, when cats are in a room filled with people, they will gravitate toward the one non-cat lover in the group. Usually, this is done because that person is not looking at them. Having said this, some cats will stare lovingly into your eyes, once they feel safe and comfortable in the household. If you know your cat is not yet relaxed in his environment, when looking at him, close your eyes for a few moments and then open them, looking away occasionally. This will show him that you are not a threat to him. > Another odd eye contact habit that cats may exhibit, is the slow eye blink. This is typically a sign of love and can be reciprocated by you, the human. Close your eyes slowly and blink, to return the loving gesture. You can communicate the love you have for your cat by doing this. > Many cats, even seemingly affectionate ones, dislike being held. Although cats are often the hunters, they can be hunted as well. When animals are catching their prey, they typically restrain
Contributed by Randi Perlman and Nancy Moore, AWBRC Board Members Wild Bird Wonders 9/23/2017 – 5:30PM Alaska Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center Best Western Lake Lucille Inn 1300 W Lake Lucille Dr. Wasilla Cost: $55 Alaska Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center (AWBRC) is bringing back its almostannual fall fundraiser, Wild Bird Wonders, on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 5:30PM-8:30PM at the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn in Wasilla. Returning by popular demand, this unflappable event features entertainment, hearty appetizers, quick draw artists, outcry and silent auctions and of course, spotlights our
PETS & ANIMALS
the victim. So, being held by you stresses your kitty, who feels that his ability to escape is compromised. Once your cat starts flailing his tail and flattening his ears, it’s time to let him go. The best way to hold a cat is to use one hand under his chest, while supporting his back legs – supporting him against your upper body. > Another odd cat behavior is chattering at birds flying around outside the window. Some animal behaviorists think that this may be a sign of frustration because the kitty is not able to get at the birds. Others think that this is an instinct that prepares the kitty’s muscles for killing their prey. > One of my favorite cat behaviors is the head-butt. This is your cat’s way of greeting you and may be a marking behavior. You do after all, belong to him. Now don’t be worried if your cat doesn’t head-butt you. This does not mean that he doesn’t love you. > Those of us who have indoor/outdoor cats are thrilled when our cat brings us “presents” such as a dead bird or rodent. Don’t punish your cat for this behavior! Your cat may be sharing the spoils of his hunt with your or giving you thanks for feeding him. I usually try to save the unfortunate victim and try to let him/her go – if he survives my cat. > Kneading is not something too many cat guardians are fond of. In fact, it can be quite painful. This rhythmic pressing of paws, one at a time, is much like a massage – with nails. This behavior often indicates a content, happy cat. It is also an instinctive behavior that happens after a cat’s birth and is used to stimulate milk production in the momma cat. > Many cats enjoy curling up in a small box, drawer or other tiny space. This makes your cat feel safe. Sleeping in a wide-open area exposes your cat to predators and
feathery wild bird ambassadors. Purchase Tickets for $55 at NonEssentials in Palmer, Steve’s Toyo Stoves at Mile 3.4 KGB Road or online at www.akwildbirdrehab.org. We have a special opportunity this year. Ticket sales and donations will be matched by Big Boy Toys Storage in Big Lake, Alaska. One free drink ticket included. Come meet our engaging education birds and their handlers, learn about the birds’ history and discover the many ways AWBRC improves the lives of these amazing avians and how you can help as well. It’s an awesome opportunity to view the birds up close, get involved through Roses for Raptors and win a beautiful quilt, all while enjoying delicious food, delightful music, endearing stories and incredible auction items, including some delectable desserts…
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other dangers. Kitties can find the most unusual, hilarious spots. Vases, cabinets or grocery bags are just a few spaces a cat will invade when the mood strikes. Make certain that the space he chooses is a safe one. > Occasionally, your cat will not cover up his poop in the litterbox. Some cats are quite picky about the litter in their litter box and may not like the type you are using. Also, kitties are very clean animals and if the litter box is not scooped frequently, they may be protesting by leaving the poop uncovered. Or, the box may be too small or used by too many cats, if you live in a multiple cat household. Always make sure to talk with a veterinarian about any potential health problems. > Some cats yowl at night, keeping you awake for hours. Hopefully, your cat has already been spayed or neutered, so this crying is not the result of looking for a mate. This behavior can stem from frustration or boredom. Provide your kitty with stimulating toys or puzzles to keep him in an enriched environment. If all fails, close the door to your bedroom. Again, talk to your vet to rule out health problems.
Cats are the most delightful creatures and some of their behaviors will amaze you. Enjoy the fact that you can share your home with a wild cat!
So get your tickets now and join us and our feathered friends on September 23rd as we explore Wild Bird Wonders, and have a rousing good time while raising funds for Alaska’s majestic wild birds. If you would like to donate an auction item or wish to volunteer in the planning or choreography of this event, please contact AWBRC at 8922927. We’d welcome you with open wings. This entire event is… For the Birds!
PETS & ANIMALS
PETS & ANIMALS
Contributed by Tracy Smith – Animal Care Dispatcher Contributed by Tracy Smith – Animal Care Dispatcher Spiky is a 4 year old boy who is on the larger side. If you are looking for a loving, affectionate cat, look no further. Spiky is very cuddly here at the shelter, and just wants to crawl into your arms to stay forever. Spiky has been good around children in the past, but we are uncertain about a home with dogs or other cats. We know that Spiky will be oh-so-happy if you give him a cuddly, warm place to be lazy! Mat-Su Borough Animal Shelter 907-746-5500
Contributed by Kelleigh Orthmann M.S., Clear Creek Cat Rescue Gemma is a lovely, sleek tabby girl with a neat short-haired coat. She is about a year or two old. Gemma is a classic spirit cat. She loves other cats and does fine with mellow dogs. And she does love her people. She is used to being in a home with people, hanging out with the other cats, playing and exploring the house.
Vangogh is a 10 year old friendly cat. He has been spending time in the community cat room at the shelter, but he would sure love to get out of here and find comfort in a loving home. He’s a big cat with big character! Mat-Su Borough Animal Shelter 907-746-5500
In Wasilla. Call 631-1901 Clear Creek Cat Rescue (907) 980-8898
Contributed by Angie Lewis, President of Alaska Animal Advocates You would never guess that Vanna is 6 years old! This energetic girl is as animated and silly as a young puppy. Vanna loves people, but would be more successful in a home that doesn’t have young children, simply because of her excitability. Sadly, Vanna had some bad experiences as a younger dog and is therefore frightened of certain dogs. Vanna needs gentle, structured introductions to other dogs, and then does just fine with them.
She can enjoy being pet by her trusted human at times, but generally her love is shown by being in the company of her people, by sharing a home and family. She loves to share the happiness of having a home and life together. To Gemma, her humans are part of her colony, her family. She loves them in her cat-like way and will be devoted to them. She will need a loving, patient person who will give her time to adjust to a whole new life and family. She will need cat friends and a safe place to go outside. She is an excellent hunter.
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Vanna is house-trained, knows basic commands and is very food motivated, making any further training likely to be easy. To learn more about Vanna, please call Angie at 841-3173 or email Alaska Animal Advocates at akaarescue@hotmail.com. Contributed by Tracy Smith – Animal Care Dispatcher Berlioz is a 3 year old short haired cat. He is a gentle and quiet cat who enjoys attention. Berlioz is responsive and sweet when being shown affection. Mat-Su Borough Animal Shelter 907-746-5500
COMMUNITY NEWS Contributed by Jaida Gough, Boom Town Derby Dames Recruitment Night 9/30/2017 – 8PM Humdingers Pizza FREE Event Fresh Meat (New Skaters) Practice Begins 10/4/2017 – 6PM Borough Community Gym FREE Event Boom Town vs. Fairbanks Rollergirls Game 11/11/2017 Doors Open @6PM, Wheels Roll @7PM Menard Sports Center Tickets: $5 - $16.66
Recover Alaska, neighboring communities and local businesses band together in support of recovery. Recover Alaska Concert & Celebration 9/23/2017 – 7PM Recover Alaska Church of Love 3502 Spenard Rd. Anchorage FREE Event Recover Alaska is bringing communities and businesses across the state together to support Alaskans struggling with alcohol and substance use for September in honor of National Recovery Month. From featured alcoholfree cocktails at local restaurants to dry weekend activities and a final celebration concert, September will honor Alaskans in recovery as well as all who support them. “Recovery Month is all about celebrating the journey of recovery, which is often a difficult and overwhelming experience,” said Tiffany Hall, executive director of Recover Alaska. “We’re showing people they’re not alone, and that a vibrant
After a drizzly summer, the Boom Town Derby Dames laced up their skates and returned to the track in the beginning of September, officially marking the start of Season 7. The first month of practice will get the skaters’ skills reassessed for eligibility. Starting October 4th, Boom Town will begin Freshmeat, where new recruits and current skaters needing to touch up on skills will have three months of training before assessing. It’s a busy first few weeks that Boomies look forward to each season! Freshmeat officially begins October 4, 2017. Anyone interested in joining is encouraged to show up, we accept all skill and fitness levels, any background, shape or size. The only requirement to
social life without alcohol is completely attainable. We’ve seen tremendous support from the Alaska business community wanting to get involved and we can’t wait to provide some of these opportunities for support and celebration in September.” Restaurants including South, Spenard Roadhouse, Ginger and Blue’s Central in Anchorage, Lavelle’s in Fairbanks and Mykel’s in Soldotna will feature a creative, non-alcoholic cocktail on their menu during Recovery Month. “The alcohol-free cocktails we’re offering this month are meant to be just as fun and exciting as any of our drinks featured on the regular bar menu,” said Laile Fairbairn, general manager of South Restaurant + Coffeehouse. “Our bartenders had a great time coming up with these original recipes, and we’re thrilled to support Recovery Month and offer some beverage choices for our guests who choose not to drink alcohol.” Alaskans (in recovery or not) are also invited to participate in Recover Alaska’s
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join is that you’re 18 or older and out of high school. Boom Town will be hosting a Recruitment Night September 30th from 8:00pm - 10:00pm at Humdingers Pizza in Palmer to answer any questions about roller derby, being part of Boom Town and what opportunities are available. We can fill you in on becoming an official, a non-skating official or any volunteer opportunities we have! Interested in joining, but can’t make it to Recruitment Night at Humdingers?
recruitment.btdd@gmail.com Boom Town has secured home game dates for the season. Each game is held at the Menard Sports Center in Wasilla and is a great family-friendly event!
Send an email with any questions to:
Home game dates are November 11, 2017, February 24, 2018, March 24, 2018 and April 7, 2018.
Dry Weekend Challenges throughout the month. The challenges are an opportunity for those interested to pledge to spend a weekend free of alcohol. Recover Alaska will provide a checklist of “dry activity” ideas and Alaskans can choose to pledge to do as many as they like. Recover Alaska will send small prizes to participants who accept the challenge and share how they spent their sober weekend via social media. A free concert and celebration is planned for Saturday, September 23rd from 7pm - 11pm at the Church of Love on Spenard Road in Anchorage. Blaze Bell and Samuel Johns, local performers who are in recovery, will play throughout the night. The Sawbuck, Alaska’s only traveling speak-easy and pop-up cocktail bar, will be making the featured zero-alcohol drinks from our restaurant partners. Alaskans can also show their support for Recovery Month by sporting specialty flair pins and hanging orange ribbons in an effort to come together and “paint” the town orange. Each ribbon symbolizes a journey to recovery, and those who choose to hang a
ribbon in the community can place them anywhere that is meaningful to their own or a loved one’s recovery. Participants are encouraged to share where they’ve placed their ribbon, as well as their recovery stories, with Recover Alaska via social media. The ribbons will be available at participating restaurants, Recovery Month events and will be distributed by volunteers. For more information about Recovery Month events and opportunities to participate, visit Recover Alaska’s website at www.recoveralaska.org. About Recover Alaska: Recover Alaska is a multi-sector action group pursuing a solutions-based approach to reduce excessive alcohol use and harms across the state. Partners include Rasmuson Foundation, The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, Mat-Su Health Foundation, Providence Alaska, Southcentral Foundation and the State of Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services. The vision for Recover Alaska is for Alaskans to live free from the consequences of alcohol abuse, so we are empowered to achieve our full potential.