MID-JULY THROUGH MID-AUG 2016
Official position of the UK government
With more than 7,500 flavors of e-cigarettes, the vaping industry knows there is something for everyone...especially your children.
Cotton Candy Flavoring
Contributed by Jan Newman Grow Palmer Area residents are invited to a Local Foods, Local Places action-planning session begins July 26th from 3-6pm and continues 9am-5pm July 27th, at the Palmer Depot.
The gathering is part of the federal initiative in which Palmer civic association, Grow Palmer has been selected as one of 27 locations nationwide to lead an effort to develop a plan to strengthen the area economy and community through local foods.
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“The Hemispherectomy Foundation is made up of a group of people who have either had the hemispherectomy surgery (removal of part of the brain) or people who are looking at this surgery as a way to save their children from rare brain disorders.” Contributed by Abby Lampley Seven years ago, I became a member of the Hemispherectomy Foundation. The Hemispherectomy Foundation is made up of a group of people who have either had the hemispherectomy surgery (removal of part of the brain) or people who are looking at this surgery as a way to save their children from rare brain disorders. Almost 15 years ago, I became one of those people who had to have this surgery done to stop the progression of a rare brain disorder.
ABOVE: I met Levon when he was 3 years old at the first conference I went to. He is like my little brother & I always get lots of hugs when we are together.
Contributed by MSB Animal Care We have a charming 10 year old yellow lab female named Dakota. Dakota is a sweet older dog with tons of energy. Her former owner reported that she has become intolerant of small children and other dogs. Also she cannot be trusted around cats. She loves to play ball and will run like a pup outside. She would do best in a home with older children (teens). Dakota has the heart of a puppy! matsugov.us/animalcare 907-746-5550
ABOVE: Along with Levon, I met Sunshine and little Jayna at my first conference. I was so excited to see these two people. Levon hopped in the picture with us & we spent a lot of time by the pool, visiting and swimming!
Every summer, dozens of families come together at a designated place for the International Hemispherectomy Conference/Reunion to learn news ways to help their children & to enjoy the fellowship of others who get what it is like to be going through the issues that come after the hemispherectomy surgery. Last summer, I was asked to fly to Baltimore from Alaska to speak on the young adult panel & to share the things that I’ve been through because a lot of the families in the foundation look up to me. I was so honored to take what I’ve learned & use it to help others like me. I told myself that I was going to every conference from now on because it is a gift to spread hope to everyone
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alaskaquitline.com
Mat-Su
PETS & ANIMALS
PETS & ANIMALS PAGE 2
Adopt
Thomas Contributed by Angie Lewis, President of Alaska Animal Advocates Contributed by Angie Lewis, President of Alaska Animal Advocates
Lyle’s feet never touched the grass, he never smelled the fresh air and he was never able to run in the wind.... Well, those days of “never” are over for Lyle. This sweet four to six year old Chihuahua was born and raised in a puppy mill. He was used for breeding, so that his “owner” could make money. This little fellow has made huge strides in learning what it means to be a dog. Lyle would be happiest in a home with adults, as he is understandably quite timid. He gets along with other dogs, but is quite frightened of new things; so he would need a small adjustment period. CONTACT: If you would like to show Lyle what a dog’s life can be like, please email Alaska Animal Advocates at aaarescue@yahoo. com or call Donna at 315-5050
Contributed by Clear Creek Cat Rescue Thomas is a medium hair boy who is almost a year old. He is gray and white with super soft fur. Thomas would like nothing more than a loving family to celebrate his first birthday with. Thomas was born outside last summer and became accustomed to being fed by humans, but until recently he had never been touched by humans. Although he is still a little shy around new humans, he has found that his foster people give really nice ear rubs and butt scratchings. They also give him yummy treats and have very cozy beds. Thomas loves to play with his feline friends and doesn't mind a laid back dog or two. He's current on vaccinations, neutered, and microchipped. Waiting in Wasilla for his birthday wish to come true. CONTACT: 907-863-1444
Summer should be a time of enjoyment for you and your dog, but all too often this is a time of year when situations arise that can endanger your dog. There are only a few safety practices that need to be followed to ensure you and your dog have a wonderful time this summer. Don’t leave your dog in a car, not even with the windows opened. Dogs can’t perspire and have a very hard time cooling off in a hot car. The temperature in a car can rise to 120 degrees in a few minutes. Don’t drive with your dog in the back of a pickup. Your dog is a member of the family and should be treated as such. If you had to suddenly hit the brakes, your dog might literally fly out of your truck bed. Let her sit in the cab with you, or if nothing else, put her in a secured crate in the back of your truck. Recognize lawn and garden dangers – Plant food, fertilizer and insecticides can be lethal for your dog. Lost dogs – Make sure your dog is micro-chipped and that the contact information is current. In addition, your dog should wear a collar with an identification tag. Dehydration – Make sure your dog has plenty of water and shade to help her remain cool and hydrated.
Exercise – Hiking with your dog is a wonderful experience. Be sure to limit exercise on a really hot day, particularly for older dogs or dogs with thick coats. Provide enough rest time and ample water. Asphalt can be very hot and actually burn your dog’s paws. Lakes - Not all dogs are natural born swimmers and can easily drown. Monitor your dog to make certain of her skill level as a swimmer. Fleas and Ticks – This is not as big a problem in Alaska as it is in other parts of the country. If you use products for fleas and ticks, check with your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter treatments can be toxic, even when used as directed. Summer Events – Be mindful of taking your dog to summer events such as concerts, fairs or other crowded places. These can be stressful for some dogs that may run the risk of getting lost. Know your dog and what might be uncomfortable for her. Other Revelry – Some dogs are very frightened of the loud sounds of fireworks and firearms. Dogs are best kept in the house for these celebrations. Some dogs become so stressed that they need medications to help them deal with loud sounds. Dogs can become lost as they try to escape the noise and run away.
The Mayor of Palmer, DeLena Johnson, Cares What YOU Think!
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY PAGE 3
Herman Thompson Honored With “Bertie” Award Contributed by Robin Minard, Mat-Su Health Foundation Talkeetna resident, Herman Thompson, was recently recognized with the Bert Hall Award for commitment to the health of the community. The “Bertie” is an annual award presented by the Mat-Su Health Foundation to an individual who consistently exemplifies commitment to improving the health and wellness of Mat-Su residents. “Herman is a convener. He sees the strengths and assets of his community, and brings people together to solve community issues,” said Mat-Su Health Foundation Executive Director, Eliza-
beth Ripley. “Beyond solving problems, Herman helps people see opportunities and ways to enhance the community.”
Advisory Board and sits on the Mat-Su Borough’s Health and Human Services Board.
also served as a president of the Alaska Public Health Association, represented Alaska on the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association and served on the Alaska Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
Herman has long been a leader in the Borough’s Senior Services systems, including the Regional Senior Services Oversight Committee. He sits on the board of Upper Susitna Seniors, Inc. (USSI), where he and his colleagues on the USSI board have found a host of ways to serve seniors. For example, USSI partners with eleven local restaurants to provide meals on wheels by buying meals from local businesses and delivering them to seniors in their homes. In addition, Herman and his team negotiated a range of discounts from local vendors for USSI members. He also works with Sunshine Transit
The Bert Hall Award is named in honor of Mat-Su resident, Bert Hall, who helped put together the Valley Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and currently serves as a Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Trustee. Bert has served Alaska in many capacities including as a Mat-Su Regional Medical Center board member, associate director of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services, director of health and social services for the Municipality of Anchorage, and as the Alaska liaison to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Bert
About MSHF: Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare asset through board oversight. The MSHF invests its share of Mat-Su Regional’s profits into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available online at www.healthymatsu.org
Contributed by Robin Minard, Mat-Su Health Foundation
Since Ptarmigan Pediatrics is a for-profit corporation, any profits that may be realized from the project will be shared with foundation. The Mat-Su Borough School District is also a partner in this venture, and part of the project will be implemented at Goose Bay Elementary School in Wasilla.
Winners For The 4th of July Parade
Seven local organizations were recently selected to receive Mat-Su Health Foundation funds totaling more than $1.7 million.
The 2016 MTA 4th of July Parade, sponsored by the City of Wasilla and MTA and hosted by the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, was held in downtown Wasilla on Monday morning. Our grand marshal was Senator Lisa Murkowski, who was driven through the route in a beautiful Mustang convertible provided by Magnum Motors. It is estimated that nearly 7,000 people were present to witness this Independence Day celebration. Wasilla is well-known for having a wonderful celebration for the 4th of July with a combination of the Independence Day parade followed by the mayor’s community picnic afterwards. The fireworks held at 8:30pm were nothing short of spectacular, and fun was had by all in attendance. The weekend – the Wasilla Summerfest was held at the Menard Sports Center and there were several opportunities to enjoy a baseball game with our local Mat-Su Miners. This year’s festivities offered many memorable and enjoyable experiences for the whole family. The parade offered 75 different entries including floats from local businesses, elected officials, churches, schools, military representatives and more. The Mat-Su Sertoma Club provided the judges for the parade, and our emcee announcers were Garry Forrester, Executive Director and Dave Nufer, Artistic Director from Valley Performing Arts. There were a multitude of volunteers who gath-
ered together on this holiday to make this parade possible for Wasilla and both the staff and Board of Directors with the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce sincerely appreciate their contribution to this event. Our winners for this year were as follows: Overall: The Grape Tap Theme- “Land of the Free, Home of the Warriors” First Place: Good Shepard Lutheran Church Second Place: Frontline Mission Third Place: Church on the Rock Vehicle: First Place: Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry Second Place: Mat-Su Food Bank Third Place: Janssen’s Mat-Su Funeral Home General: First Place: Sonya’s Studio of Dance Second Place: Wasilla Area Seniors Third Place: AmVet Post 9 Your local Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank all of you for attending the 2016 4th of July Parade and look forward to seeing you in the parade or on the parade route in 2017! 376-1299 415 E Railroad Ave, Wasilla Alaska 99654 www.wasillachamber.org
Co-Occurring Disorders Institute Inc. (CODI), Ptarmigan Pediatrics and Set Free Alaska were awarded through the Discovery grant program. Blood and Fire Ministry of Alaska, CCS Early Learning, Heartreach Pregnancy Center, and Valley Charities were selected for Healthy Impact grants. The Discovery grant program is new, and this is the first time awards were made under that program. It was created to fund projects that address the findings of specified Mat-Su Health Foundation-funded research. In this first round of Discovery funding, projects were solicited to address the specific recommendations outlined in the foundation’s Behavioral Health Environmental Scan (BHES) reports. “Data from our research clearly demonstrated a need for innovative solutions to ensure that all Mat-Su residents have the opportunity to enjoy optimal behavioral health,” said MSHF Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley. “The organizations that applied for and were awarded Discovery funding demonstrated creativity, collaboration, and a real commitment to making a difference in the health and wellness of Mat-Su residents.” Discovery awards are being made to the following organizations: CoOccurring Disorders Institute Inc. (CODI) was awarded $92,000 to expand mental health services for children ages 0-3 by hiring and training and a therapist specifically to serve this age group. Ptarmigan Pediatrics will receive $141,818 over three years for a psychologist internship program that will promote early childhood assessment and intervention in medical and school settings.
Set Free Alaska will receive $97,000 for the development and implementation of a children’s behavioral health early intervention and treatment program. Healthy Impact Grants are offered twice annually and are available to fund local health-related projects in excess of $15,000. Awards for this round are as follows: Blood and Fire Ministry of Alaska will receive $298,220 over two years for general operating support for its Knik House program providing temporary, long term and emergency housing, as well as recovery and life skill development opportunities. CCS Early Learning will receive $350,000 over three years for training and technical assistance to infuse trauma-informed care throughout its programming. Heartreach Pregnancy Center will receive $500,000 to build a new facility that will help it expand its outreach and services to parents and families. Valley Charities will receive $250,00 over three years to implement a prisoner re-entry program. The funding will help provide case management, housing placement, transportation and administration of the program. The application period for the next round of Healthy Impact grants will be announced soon. The Mat-Su Health Foundation also offers a Target Wellness grant program for projects less than $15,000, and it is open year-round. More information and the online application can be found at www.healthymatsu.org
HEALTH & COMMUNITY Contributed by K.T. McKee This summer marks the 10-year anniversary of the release of the U.S. Surgeon General’s report detailing the potentially deadly health effects of secondhand smoke exposure. Why is this such a big deal? Doesn’t everyone already know about secondhand smoke and how it causes premature death and disease in children and adults? Alaska still does not have a comprehensive, statewide smokefree workplace law that would protect employees and consumers from secondhand smoke. Over 1,000 Alaska businesses and organizations have signed Resolutions of Support for a statewide smokefree workplace law and countless individuals wrote, called, and testified in person for the passage of a bill during the recent regular legislative session. Polling in 2016 demonstrated that nearly
70 percent of Alaskans approve of a statewide smokefree law, including a majority of smokers. Despite these high numbers and broad bi-partisan legislative support, the effort failed to move forward when one Anchorage Republican representative would not allow the bill to be heard on the House floor due to her own personal stance against such a bill. It’s not rocket science, but it’s real, factbased science that children exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma. Studies also have revealed secondhand smoke causes an estimated 41,000 deaths each year among adults in the United States, with 33,951 of those from cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes), and 7,333 from lung cancer. The City of Palmer gets it. It’s been smokefree since 2013 and Palmer businesses report an increase in patronage since the air has been cleared. Anchor-
If I Had To Explain It, Would You Understand? Contributed by Paul Johnson I have successfully given up smoking cigarettes by using modern vapor devices and liquids, after over 45 years of tobacco use. Not because I was having health issues; frankly, I didn’t feel all that bad. Sure I was short of breath and my blood pressure was a little high but over all, if I took it easy, no serious issues. Like many others, I have lost friends and loved ones to tobacco smoking related illnesses and diseases. My family members have asked for years for me to quit out of concern, and the government and society in general have pushed and pushed to make America tobacco free because it is killing millions of people every year and there is evidence that second hand smoke is also harmful. As a result, I finally realized that it would be in my best interest to quit smoking, both for myself and in consideration of my fellow man. Over the years I tried the patches, the gum hypnosis and even “cig-alikes” to try and quit, only to relapse
shortly after stopping the use of these products and methods. I didn’t know why until I discovered modern vapor devices and liquids. The “cig-a-likes” have been around since 1965, but have always been limited by battery life and flavor issues. They did provide significant tobacco harm reduction, but were inconvenient. Modern technology provided the solution and my success in quitting smoking was immediate and sustained. Why? Because modern vapor devices provide the hand and mouth habit along with the visual perception of exhaling a vapor while providing the nicotine I enjoy. If you’ve never smoked, this is probably the thing you understand least: the physical habit or ritual. If you do smoke, please try vaping. Don’t be fooled by the anti-vaping propaganda that has become so pervasive. Ask yourself why the same people that have been trying to convince you to quit smoking for decades are now trying to scare you into believing that the solution to their goal is as bad, if not
HEALTH & WELLNESS PAGE 4
age gets it. It’s been smokefree since 2006 – the same year the Surgeon General’s report was released. Anchorage’s law was upheld on the ballot in 2007 by 73 percent of voters. Since then, other Alaskan communities have followed suit, including Juneau, Nome, and Haines. There are, however, places in Alaska like the Mat-Su, Kenai Peninsula, and Fairbanks North Star boroughs, the Unorganized Borough, and likely others which don’t have the legal authority to pass local smokefree laws. That’s why thousands of Alaskans living in those areas need the Legislature to pass a bill to protect their right to breathe clean air. “The Surgeon General’s report made it clear – there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and separating smokers from nonsmokers, cleaning the air and ventilating rooms or buildings does not eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. We have to take it outside,” said Katie Pesznecker, Leadership Counworse than smoking tobacco. Vaping is not smoking. In fact, most vapers are anti-smoking advocates and reformed smokers. Let’s look at an FDA funded study by the National Institute for Health, dated March 2016. Their conclusion was “The evidence suggests a strong potential for vaporized nicotine product use to improve population health by reducing or displacing cigarette use.” It goes on to say, “Countries whose policies discourage nicotine product use, run the risk of neutralizing a potentially useful addition to methods of reducing tobacco use.” Yet the FDA ignores its own science and instead “deems” modern vapor devices to be tobacco products less than a month later. Why? I‘ve also been confronted by never smokers and anti-vapers who believe that vaping is just a new way of smoking. It is not. There are no carcinogens in modern vapor products except extremely low levels in the liquids that actually use tobacco as a flavoring. Most vapers prefer the hundreds of delicious flavorings that are now available. After all, they have quit smoking and want to rid themselves of tobacco forever.
cil Chair of the American Lung Association in Alaska. The 2006 Surgeon General’s report sparked a wave of states and communities protecting Americans from secondhand smoke with comprehensive smokefree laws, but this hasn’t yet happened in Alaska. Now is the time for Alaska to protect the health of residents where they live, work, and play. Be assured, the ‘Take it Outside Act’ will be back in 2017, in one form or another, and the need remains across the state to protect Alaskans with this life-saving, cost-saving measure. To learn more about comprehensive smokefree laws and policies and the progress of states, visit Lung.org/ smokefree. The 2006 Surgeon General’s Report can be found at http://www. surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/ secondhandsmoke K.T. McKee is the Mat-Su Manager of the American Lung Association in Alaska. She can be reached at 891-7444 or kt.mckee@lung.org The nicotine levels in the liquids can be adjusted to the user’s particular taste and are considerably lower than in traditional tobacco products. Some prefer zero nicotine liquids. There is no smoke from burned tobacco, only vapor and therefore no second hand smoke. The amount of expelled nicotine in the vapor is not measurable and therefore poses no second hand threat whatsoever. (Royal College of Physicians Report – 2015) Furthermore, nicotine is being studied and used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s disease with promising success. It has been proven to be no more addictive or harmful than the caffeine in your morning coffee. I’m the one who doesn’t understand. The government and society have pleaded for decades for smokers to quit smoking. Modern technology has provided that solution with little if any harm to the user and no harm to bystanders. Yet the government, big pharmaceutical companies and big tobacco companies are trying to vilify a product that has the potential of making the world tobacco free. Ask yourself why.
– the two joints that connect your jaw to your skull – leading to TMJ irritation and a form of tension headaches. Contributed by Dr. Rizaldy Ortiz Headaches affect just about everyone at some point and they can present themselves in many different ways. Some people only experience pain in one part of their head or behind their eyes, some people experience a pounding sensation inside their whole head, and some people even experience nausea, while others do not. The pain itself may be dull or sharp and may last for anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Fortunately, very few headaches have serious underlying causes, but those that do require urgent medical attention. Research shows that spinal manipulation the primary form of care provided by doctors of chiropractic may be an effective treatment option for tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck. A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck,
and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than a commonly prescribed medication. Also, a 1995 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal manipulative therapy is an effective treatment for tension headaches and that those who ceased chiropractic treatment after four weeks experienced a sustained therapeutic benefit in contrast with those patients who received a commonly prescribed medication. Headache Triggers Headaches have many causes, or triggers. These may include foods, environmental stimuli (noises, lights, stress, etc.) and/or behaviors (insomnia, excessive exercise, blood sugar changes, etc.). About 5 percent of all headaches are warning signals caused by physical problems. Ninety-five percent of headaches are primary headaches, such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused by disease. The headache itself is the
primary concern. The greatest majority of primary headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck. Today, Americans engage in more sedentary activities than they used to, and more hours are spent in one fixed position or posture. This can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back and scalp, causing your head to ache. What Can You Do? The ACA suggests the following: If you spend a large amount of time in one fixed position, such as in front of a computer, on a sewing machine, typing or reading, take a break and stretch every 30 minutes to one hour. The stretches should take your head and neck through a comfortable range of motion. Low-impact exercise may help relieve the pain associated with primary headaches. However, if you are prone to dull, throbbing headaches, avoid heavy exercise. Engage in such activities as walking and low-impact aerobics. Avoid teeth clenching. The upper teeth should never touch the lowers, except when swallowing. This results in stress at the temporomandibular joints (TMJ)
Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to help avoid dehydration, which can lead to headaches. What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do? Doctor of chiropractic may do one or more of the following if you suffer from a primary headache: Perform spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate the stress on your system. Provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet and perhaps the addition of B complex vitamins. Offer advice on posture, ergonomics (work postures), exercises and relaxation techniques. This advice should help to relieve the recurring joint irritation and tension in the muscles of the neck and upper back. Dr. Ortiz is a Chiropractic Physician and a Certified Medical Examiner who provides Ethical, Fair and Friendly DOT CDL Physical Exam and Chiropractic in the Matsu-Valley. Call Altair Chiropractic at 907-357-1818 to make an appointment.
ALTERNATE ROUTE OFF GEORGE PARKS HWY!
TURN LEFT ON S. MAcK DR. AND THEN RiGHT ON AviATiON AvE.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Rhodiola has shown to greatly suppress physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Contributed by Dori Cranmore R.N. Rhodiola rosea is not a common herb, but it’s getting more popular every year. It typically grows at high altitudes in the Arctic and mountainous regions throughout Europe and Asia and has over 200 different species. Rhodiola rosea is now being grown and harvested in Alaska under the Alaska Grown label and is available at All About Herbs, Inc. in Wasilla. One of Rhodiola’a attributes is that it is an adaptogenic herb. This means that it acts in non-specific ways to increase our body’s resistance to stress, without disturbing normal biological functions. There are many recognized herbs that are considered adaptogens. Ginsengs, Licorice Root, Maca, Holy Basil, Schisandra, Cordyceps, Ashwagandha, Reishi mushrooms, and my all-time favorite, Rhodiola. Russia and Scandinavia have been studying Rhodiola intensely for 35 years. They use it as a tonic, tea or supplement for fatigue, poor attention span, decreased memory, to help make workers more productive and to increase the capacity for mental work.
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Dosage ranges from 50mg up to 600mg a day. It is recommended to not exceed 600mg, as higher doses may be ineffective. The Journal of the American Botanical Council, reports that numerous studies of rhodiola in both humans and animals have indicated that it helps prevent fatigue, stress and the damaging effects of oxygen deprivation. Evidence also suggests that it acts as an antioxidant, enhances immune system function and can increase sexual energy. Rhodiola appears to be able to significantly reduce the effects of prolonged and minor physical exhaustion that results in fatigue. Some research has shown Rhodiola’s ability to inhibit estrogen binding to a receptor and instead increased the metabolism of estradiol, thus labeling it as anti-estrogenic. Because of the mild stimulant effect some may note when taking Rhodiola it has been used successfully to cycle off caffeine. Trying to quit smoking?
Rhodiola acts as a stimulant when taken in small doses and a relaxant when taken in larger doses. The tea is made with the ground root and is steeped (brewed) for 4 hours. Rhodiola is not advised for pregnant women or those with bipolar disorder. Rhodiola rosea is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to cure, treat or prevent disease. In fact, the FDA has forcibly removed some products containing R. rosea from the market due to disputed claims that it treats cancer, anxiety, influenza, the common cold, bacterial infections and migraines. Lucky us in Alaska, to have it grown and harvested in our fine state! Dori Cranmore is a registered nurse and owner of All About Herbs inc. Call 376-8327 for questions or a personalized consult.
ACCOMMODATIONS Sunset View Resort ........ 892-8595 ALL NATURAL BEEF Arctic Alaska Premium ........ 231-7447 APPAREL All Seasons Clothing ........ 357-0123 CW Tack ........ 376-2668 D’s Tuxedo ........ 707-6585 Growing Spurts ........ 376-4404 Mimi’s Closet ........ 376-2661 ART & CRAFTS Stamp Cache ........ 745-4848 The Gallery ........ 745-1420 BOOKSTORE Fireside Books ........ 745-2665 BREWERY Arkose Brewery ........ 746-2337 BUSINESS & MARKETING SeaStar Strategies ........ 745-6127 CAFÉ & COFFEE Alaska Artisan Coffee ........ 745-5543 Espresso Café ........ 376-5282 Gathering Grounds ........ 376-4404 Loose Moose Café ........ 373-3332 CHINESE FOOD/ASIAN FOOD Kings Asian Buffet ........ 357-9977 COOKWARE All I Saw Cookware ........ 376-3177 CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT Artists Uncorked ........ 982-2675 EDUCATION Learning Essentials ........ 357-3990 FIBER ARTS AK Frayed Knot ........ 521-9276
called NERI and thought it was worth a try before the surgical route.
Contributed by Anna Altair Scoliosis often shows up about the time puberty shows up. When parents notice, they usually start reminding the child to “Stand up straight”. Usually, the child really does try, but the pull on the muscles creating the curved spine is very strong and they lapse into the slump once more. This happened to me and I have spent many decades learning how to correct the curve for myself and for others who present with this dilemma. In 1998, a girl of 11 came to the office with a severe scoliosis, displaying a hump on her right shoulder that was as big as my grandmother’s. She was a very active child who ran track and took dancing lessons. She was a cheerleader at her grade school and a top student. Her parents had heard of the method
We made a mark on the wall of her height, 60 inches, just reaching 5 feet. We did the work and measured her at the end of the 90 minute session - 61.5 inches. Her parents noted she stretched every which way to lengthen into her newly found 1.5 inches that day. She continued to grow tall and strong and without the scoliosis, ending at 66 inches within the next couple years. She remained a top student, and enjoyed gymnastics and dancing all through junior high school. We saw her a few other times. After that, she didn’t need us and we lost track of her. That was a great demonstration of what the NERI process can do and a primary reason of why I devoted my life to bringing this work to the public. NERI locks in for life, after it is completed. It is a gentle process. If you or a child you know is suffering with scoliosis, please come to our office for a free consultation and evaluation. I found this method when I was over half a century old and it took 85%
of my constant pain away, so adults can undergo the treatments as well. It is worth a consideration. Dr. Anna Altair of Altair Chiropractic has worked in the valley for 12 years and helped many children and adults. Her office is on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway across from the bowling alley -- 907-357-1818
FLOWERS & GIFTS Charlotte’s Flowers ........ 745-5550 FOOTWEAR Northern Comfort ........ 376-5403 HEALTH & WELLNESS All About Herbs ........ 376-8327 HOME DÉCOR Cover Ups Designs ........ 746-4739 JEWELRY L Forge Jewelry ........ 232-9866
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POLITICS
COMMUNITY & POLITICS PAGE 6
A Voice We Deserve Contributed by David Wilson Like many Alaskans, I have been very concerned about the future of the State of Alaska. I believe there are workable solutions available that will improve and solve the current fiscal crises. Over the past few years the state budget has been out of control. Current state legislators knew for years that they would not be able to maintain the current level of spending and failed to take sufficient action to address the problem. The actions in Juneau affect us all and sometimes in ways we do not like. Recently, our government interventions have resulted in unintended consequences. These consequences have to be dealt with as well, which leads to new unintended consequences. The result is a constant growth of government. Our state government has grown to a size that we can no longer afford to maintain
in its current state. It was not always like this. Our country and state were founded with something different in mind. Over two hundred years ago, a remarkable group of men got together in Philadelphia to write a constitution for a new nation they helped to create. They were a wise group of people that learned the lessons of history. The great danger to freedom is a concentration of power, especially in the hands of the government. They were determined to protect the citizens of the new United States of America from that danger and they crafted the constitution with that in mind. This constitution has served us well. It has enabled us to preserve our freedoms for over two hundred years. But in recent years we have been forgetting the lesson that these wise men knew so well. From regarding government as a threat to our freedom, we have come more and more to regard government as benefactor from which all good things flow.
We now have an inflated state government that has been a threat to our economic freedoms. These freedoms will be diminished if our legislators allow the capping of the PFD to pay for our larger sized government. The PFD is a great responsibility for our legislators to protect. It is a greater responsibility to protect it for the next generation. This generation is failing in this regard, as the future of the PFD is now in jeopardy. We must find other options to fix the budget, and I believe that additional taxes for Alaskans should be off the table until we have a leaner government. Albert Einstein once stated: “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” I feel this also applies for the legislators that we have sent to Juneau. It is time we demand more from the people we have chosen to represent us in government. It is time to reload our legislature with a higher caliber of officials. I have been involved in public service
There Is Only One Way To Stop Attacks On The PFD Contributed by Captain David Eastman, Candidate Alaska State House District 10 Our elected representatives have a choice to make. It’s the same choice they make every time they go down to Juneau. Are they willing to see themselves as expendable for the sake of something greater than their political careers, or is getting re-elected the box in which they live and move and find their personal meaning? As an Army officer, when I took soldiers into a combat zone, I knew that the mission was larger than any one of us. And while I offered prayers of thanks each time we returned to Alaska from an overseas deployment, it did not change the fact that our state and our nation would have carried on if one of us had fallen. If one of us had been taken prisoner by the Taliban, it would have been unthinkable that the president would hand the keys to the city over to terrorists in exchange for a single soldier. To be expendable does not diminish the value of your life or service. It puts it up against the lives and families of those you are fighting to protect, and says that their lives and freedom are worth your sacrifice, if it comes to that.
Contributed by DeLena Johnson It’s all about the budget. This is not news. Most people are campaigning, complaining, cussing and discussing on or about something to do with PFD and state income. That is those who are not so fed up so that they have quit talking about government and politics. No, this is not news. What has been lacking from the discussion is that we, as Alaskans, have a variety of options to deal with the problem. The government’s predictable and immediate response to the oil revenue decrease was how to use savings to fund our deficit. What an easy way to solve a problem, and historically it worked. No matter what the source of an economic downturn, Alaska has had the luxury of going to some big pot of money to solve the economic crisis of the moment. We are just about out of
This year’s PFD is expected to be in the neighborhood of $2,200. That is, if the State Dept. of Revenue follows state law as set forth in AS 43.23.025. If they do not follow the law, each of us will rightly be able to say that we were robbed by our own government. The PFD has never been contingent on passage of a state budget. The calculation of the PFD is set in statute, and is determined by state law. When it was created by the legislature, and signed into law by Gov. Hammond, it was never intended to be included as a budget item. This is because the PFD is not an appropriation from the General Fund. Unlike state spending, the dividend is not distributed to Alaskans through a budgetary process that can be changed by a simple majority of legislators. By law, it is paid from the Dividend Fund, over which the governor has no authority. Even the legislature does not have the ability to alter the PFD calculation without first approving the change in each legislative chamber and then securing the approval of the governor, following the same process required of every revision to state law. What this means is that the Governor has not “cut” anything, except the law. And if he directs the Dept. of Revenue to ignore state law in distributing less than the full amount of the dividend in October, then he should be held to account for directing a state agency to violate state law.
pots of money, so now we are eyeing the permanent fund. It is a big mistake to use our savings to cover our sloppy spending habits. Jay Hammond stated his vision this way, “I wanted to transform oil wells pumping oil for a finite period, into money wells pumping money for infinity. Each year one half of the accounts earnings would be dispersed among Alaska residents, the other half could be used for essential government services.” This makes sense if we had been prudent about government expansion. Unfortunately we have not, but we can be. As Nobel Laureate and former Rasmuson Chair in Economics, Dr. Vernon Smith stated, “Alaska has important assets besides the declining value of its developed crude resources at Prudhoe, etc. As an alternative to the State taking from the citizens fund account, they could auction title (or long term lease rights) to these assets: railroad, airport, and ferry. If Alaska operating assets are sold and some of the State land sold, they would be unlocked and available
The full amount of the PFD is owed to every eligible Alaskan, with a date set in statute by which it is to be paid (according to AS 43.23.055(2) that date is December 31, 2016). Again, the PFD is not distributed at the discretion of the governor. AS 43.23.055(2) declares: “The department shall annually pay permanent fund dividends from the dividend fund”. And to obstruct timely payment of that amount is no less theft than spending it for some unauthorized purpose. If you are like my family, your PFD is included in the family budget, just as it is a significant part of the budget for the many businesses throughout our state who target sales, promotions, or even loans based on the timely distribution of the PFD. Would Americans sit by if Obama told the IRS not to issue tax refunds this year because the government needed the money? I think not. Such an action would be rightly seen as government theft of personal property owed to its rightful owner. And where is our legislature in all this? Have they followed the example of America’s founders and opposed with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people? No? According to the news, the question this week is whether they will even take a vote on whether to oppose the governor’s raid on the PFD. And why is that? I believe it is because those who have been in
for generating new income. Consolidating agencies with billions in assets might be another revenue source.” With that advice in mind, let government do what it does best take care of essential services, divest itself of the rest, privatize what it can and allow the rest of the public resources to be developed for the good of our residents. Alaska is a resource rich state, we have many assets besides oil. We are rich in gas, gold, coal and a long list of precious metals. Alaska is rich in unparalleled beauty, mountains, animals and fish. These are all components that make our state the premier destination for adventure tourism. Alaska has one more resource: A skilled workforce when it comes to dealing with our rich assets. The last years of development have created a group of skilled operators that are ready and willing to get to work and make things happen. What should we do with those revenues from the sale of other resources? Again Vernon Smith states, “These are your assets as Alaska’s people. Deposit them to your people’s account, the permanent fund. This fund is your jewel, add to it and guard it.” Government has a way of spending all the money it has
since 2006, and currently serve as a councilman for the city of Wasilla. I have earned Master’s in business administration and I currently serve as the director of a local domestic violence and sexual assault program. I have long worked for positive change in my community and for the state of Alaska. I want to bring creative ideas and positive solutions to the state of Alaska by running for State Senate to represent you in District D in the republican primary. I am turning to the people who also believe that Alaska is not only The Last Frontier, but also The Great Frontier. That is why I am inviting you to get involved to support a candidate with integrity, honesty and experience that will help make Alaska strong again. Please remember to vote for David Wilson for State Senate on August 16th. For more information, please visit my website at www.davidwilsonforsentate.com
the legislature a decade or more, like my opponent Rep. Keller, know that they have voted for each and every unsustainable budget that brought us to the place in which we find ourselves today. The governor is clearly wrong today, but an equal share falls on those legislators who have placed their political careers over voting against the very same unsustainable budgets that they now tell us they oppose. Rep. Reinbold has stood alone among her Republican colleagues in voting against budgets that were clearly unsustainable. For that vote, she was removed from the majority caucus and her staffers were laid off. Today, her colleagues clamor about protecting the PFD, the very same PFD that they put in jeopardy by going along with and giving their support to budgets that they knew were unsustainable, and told us that they would oppose once they were elected. Year, after year, after year. In the situation in which we find ourselves today, there is only one way to protect the PFD from attack. That is to hold our governor accountable for his actions, and to hold our legislators accountable for theirs. And if you vote to send them back to Juneau for another term, do so knowing that past behavior is often an excellent predictor of future behavior. Only next time, we won’t just be talking about a $1,000 PFD. Before too long, that discussion will shift to the permanent fund itself.
available. We must guard against our own governments extravagance, or in the words of Jay Hammond, “You have got to remove the money, put it behind a rope so it cannot be used for flamboyant expenditures.” Alaskans, we will find our way out of this fiscal crisis. We are the richest state in the nation. We have companies here and people skilled enough to take control of our own destiny and find a way to extract and market our vast resources. Let the people get to work, privatize the parts of state government that make sense, and make sure the State allows access to the public lands for tourism, personal use subsistence use and natural resources. We must add to our savings, not keep digging into it. A sustainable budget is key to keeping Alaskans working, economically stable. It’s time to stop the grandstanding, hand wringing and political maneuvering. There is hope for our great state and our future. We can and will weather this storm, but common sense, governance and sound economic policy is key. My thanks to Juanita Cassellius for the quotes from Dr. Vernon Smith.
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Alaska: Adjustment Time, Let’s Get It Right Contributed by Rep. Shelley Hughes, District 11 State Senate F Candidate Oil prices low? Fiscal challenge? Some see the glass half empty; I see it half full. Now is the time for Alaska’s transition to productivity. Now is the time to realize our potential. We can do this, Alaska! Let’s first consider where we are and how we got here. A few decades ago, that engineering marvel, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, began pumping us to where we are today. We can all be thankful for that. The companies that toiled and produced (yes, and that profited) benefited Alaska. Neither greedy nor evil-they are businesses. Perfect they are not; guilty of business imperative to maximize value, they are. They have helped fuel America, and Alaska has been the beneficiary of thousands of jobs and billions in state revenues. To any who wants to bite the hand that feeds us, cut off our nose to spite our face. (Or whatever clever metaphor you prefer.) I say, please reconsider. Let’s remember this industry’s many contributions, and how reliant we are on their success. Let’s not kill the golden goose, and heaven forbid, roast it and eat it too. Let’s allow the industry to weather low oil prices. Let’s not send their investment elsewhere by raising
their taxes; they’ve already laid off 2500 Alaskans and counting. But I’m no puppet of the industry. They don’t line up to give me campaign checks. Their lobbyists don’t frequent my office. I study, analyze, research bills, apply basic economic principles, ask questions, seek out experts and above all, look out for the best interest of Alaskans. I consider whether policy and tax changes will cause industry to stop investing, or in some cases, pack up and leave. I also factor in the principle that today’s exploration means tomorrow’s production-which also means tomorrow’s jobs and state revenue. With the companies riding out price challenges, the state must make adjustments and prepare to launch again, onward and upward. The billion dollar question at this historic juncture is: What adjustments? What grieves me is that virtually all of the discussion about adjustments has focused on preserving and funding state government. That flies counter to Economics 101. Our primary focus should be on how Alaskans, how families and how the private sector can not only ride out the challenges, but grow stronger in spite of them. To grow, we can only afford the government that our economy, our private sector, can support. Alaska state government is a very large component of our aggregate
Gattis: Connecting The Dots of Alaska’s Budget Crisis Contributed by Rep. Lynn Gattis Alaska is facing an unprecedented budget crisis. This is largely due to a continuing decline of oil production, a precipitous drop in oil prices, and an unwillingness by some to make the necessary changes in state government to save money. How we respond to this crisis will define what Alaska and our economy will look like over the next decade and beyond. Governor Bill Walker’s vision for dealing with this crisis is extremely different from mine. The governor wants to impose an income tax and a sales tax on hard working Alaskans. He also wants to raise taxes on the fishing, oil, and mining industries, as well as products like motor fuels, tobacco, and alcohol. On top of all that, he wants to restructure the permanent fund dividend program, taking the majority of Alaskan’s dividend to spend on government. Likewise, because of his antagonistic behavior towards the oil industry, these extra costs to Alaskans will likely continue to increase well past his time as governor. His recent attacks could decimate resource development in Alaska and jeopardize the only economic development he seems interested in - the gas pipeline - which has very questionable economics in the world market already. All of these actions are contrary to my point of view. I don’t believe that we can tax ourselves into prosperity, or that the Alaska should pursue projects when private industry is skeptical of whether or not they will even pencil out. I am simply not willing to vote for any new taxes or reductions to your permanent fund dividend until Alaska makes significant structural changes to Alaska government and further reduces spending. More government has never been the solution in Alaska, and it certainly won’t be this time. Additionally, I’m extremely troubled by Governor Walker’s recent attacks on our oil industry. Alaska’s North Slope is still a world class resource-rich basin. The best way to solve the Alaska’s financial problems is to stop the decline of our oil production. With the right tax and regulatory policies, the North Slope can and will be the answer to Alaska’s financial woes. However Governor Walker’s recent maneuvers, first on
newer independent companies and now the major producers, are putting that in jeopardy. Senate Bill 21, which was passed just a few years ago, provided incentives for companies willing to invest and explore for oil and gas. New companies came to Alaska, drilled, made discoveries and are putting new fields into production. Several very promising discoveries have been made. Even in the face of cratering oil prices and shrinking exploration budgets, Alaska has continued to attract new players who are investing in exploration and development that will lead to more production, more jobs, and more revenue for the Alaska. These companies invested on the North Slope based in part on the Alaska’s promise to partner with them through the credit program, which was broadly supported. Unfortunately, all of this momentum is now in jeopardy because of Governor Walker’s reckless decision to veto money to pay for previously earned tax credits for the second year in a row. After this devastating action against the independents, Governor Walker is now threatening the majors by claiming they are in default on their plan of development for Prudhoe Bay. A lot of companies are now wondering if Alaska is a place that can be trusted. I fear the Governor’s actions will ensure that oil production in Alaska declines. Some of the smaller independent companies doing business here will likely be driven into bankruptcy. Alaskan vendors will be unpaid and Alaskans will lose jobs. Many promising drilling projects will be postponed or cancelled. And Alaska will be known around the world as an unstable sovereign that does not keep its word. Meanwhile, Governor Walker only seems to care about one thing: building the AK LNG project as fast as humanly possible. But the Governor cannot connect the dots. The AK LNG project has little chance of success because nobody will partner with a state that can’t be trusted and refuses to honor its commitments. Further, his ranting desires for the Alaska to “go it alone” simply are too costly, complex, and mostly importantly - too risky for Alaska. My perspective is very different than Governor Walker’s. Talking with more and more Alaskans, it is appearing that the governor insistence on stubbornly pulling against the will of Alaskans, will get us nowhere. Alaska’s economic future is not a piece of rope we can play tug of war with.
consumption; it’s not a measure of our productivity. Productivity is primarily the role of the private sector. It’s really quite simple: Alaska needs to produce goods and services the world wants to buy. So what must we guard against? We must not induce the job creators to scale back or leave. We must not discourage new investment. We have to build production back up to make up for low oil prices and replace lost production. And new production must be in new sectors, in addition to oil, gas, mining, fishing, and tourism. In the meantime, we must reduce government. If we tax Alaskans through PFD reductions, if we tax income and productivity, we can expect production from all sectors to decline; fewer goods and services to be purchased by people outside of Alaska. Less dollars coming into the state means a weaker economy. We’ve been barraged with media bites recently telling us that if we just tax every industry and every Alaskan, everything will be fine-that this is how to ride out the storm. That’s flat wrong. A healthy economy is not the result of a robust government. Only a robust economy can support a healthy government-one that isn’t overweight and bloated. It’s really quite simple. We cannot replace lost oil dollars with state government spending paid for by Alaskan families and businesses, and
Contributed by Richard W. Best Wikipedia tells us that mayor comes from the Latin major which means “bigger” and in many countries is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or town. It goes on to explain worldwide there is a wide variance regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor, much less how they are elected. [Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor July 11, 2016] It depends on the local laws involved, but let’s take a look at some local examples: Some towns the mayor is elected by the citizens and is the chief executive officer (CEO) of the municipal government, like in Wasilla. Some places may elect their city council and then the city council elects the mayor from among the council members, as in Houston. Sometimes the mayor has limits to their power where they only vote to break a tie, but get to veto either laws or budget items, as in the MatSu Borough. The borough mayor is elected by the citizens of the Mat-Su Borough. In other cities the mayor may simply chair a multi-member governing body with little or no independent power, or may play a solely ceremonial role. This is what the city of Palmer has. The Palmer mayor’s power is so limited that it is called a council/manager form of government. The person that works well in a strong-mayor government type is charismatic, driven and a strong
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expect productivity and economic growth. I arrived in Southeast Alaska in the 1970s, when the timber and forest products industry was thriving. Fish canneries seemed to operate in every other cove. Alaskans were go-getters, hardworking and full of energy. Over the past 40 years, I’ve seen that same innovative spirit in pockets across the state. We must inspire Alaskan innovators and entrepreneurs to use our God given strengths, and multiply the gifts this state offers: the rich resources, the climate, the vastness, the knowledge. This is what will translate into productivity and growth. A state leader’s role isn’t to make everything great in Alaska. It’s to ensure opportunities so Alaskans can do great things-individuals, families, women and men, young and old. Barriers erected by government stifle potential. An important part of my job is to remove those barriers, to release the grip of government. Let’s allow people not just to dream about their potential but step into it, to become what they were destined to be-productive and successful. Add to accomplishment and success, integrity and service, and a heart for inspiring and reaching out to help others rise up and do their best, and we’ll reach new and unparalleled levels as communities and as a state. Strong, unfettered individuals, will keep Alaska the very best. Yes, the very best place to live on the planet. Credit and many thanks to Tom Boutin, former Dep. Commissioner, Dept. of Revenue.
leader. The person that works well in a councilmanager form of government leads by influence and persuasion by consensus. This means they allow the council to work through its decisions so things are more thoroughly discussed and voted on; making better decision as a group. So why would you have such a limited leadership role? With a strong mayor form of government, things can change fast. A new mayor is elected and department heads can roll. This mayor runs the day-to-day operations of the city and can make large changes quickly. This is great as long as you are the one in charge. But if you step back some for perspective, this strongmayor government can end up with pendulum swing – from the east to the west to the south to the north. When you look at the councilmanager government type, change comes slower. It takes longer to change direction because the manager runs the day-to-day operations of the city and they work for the entire council. It takes a majority of the council to change policy or direction. So what does it all mean? Is it that the Palmer mayor has no true authority or responsibility? Quite the contrary, I believe the position of Mayor holds an even greater responsibility to citizens and to the positions of the entire council as a governing body, and yes the Palmer Mayor’s position has no more authority than a council person. That’s why I am supporting Edna DeVries for Palmer Mayor. She will get Palmer back on track.
POLITICS Contributed by Representative Wes Keller The permanent fund, including the Earnings Reserve Account (ER), does not belong to Governor Walker, the Sovereign State, the Legislature or any individual, until it is legally appropriated by the legislature as a PFD. Before the PFD check is written, the ER money belongs to the people of Alaska as defined in Article 1, Section 2 of the constitution. (The spending and purpose of the permanent fund is restricted in Article 9, Section 15.) • An individual investor normally owns his or her investment (in this case the PF corpus) as well as any return on their investment (profit or loss). This common sense is also true of the ER. • The investment manager (in this case ultimately the legislature) does not
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have the option of spending the investment returns without the permission of the owner. No matter how badly they may want to. No matter what they may ‘need’ to, or no matter what wonderful thing could be done with the money. This common sense is arguably also true of the ER. Arguably, all or part of the investment earnings (ER) cannot simply be taken without the specific consent of informed people of Alaska. Nothing but a vote of informed Alaskans should authorize legislative appropriation of this money. To avoid a political debate, those who benefit most directly from sovereign spending have used smoke and mirrors to convince many Alaskans they have not been paying a fair share of taxes and should therefore allow them to siphon revenue from the ER in lieu of taxes. This ignores the fact that Alas-
All I Know Is Hard Work Contributed by Adam Crum, Candidate for State Senate Seat F Growing up in Alaska is truly a privilege. To have such vast wilderness as your playground allows for many adventures and opportunities, but it can also be challenging. Often we have to work away from home, travel long distances, or be creative in how we provide for our families. My family is no exception, as we often joke that our parents had so many kids so they could have their own work crew. We worked construction, built houses, operated equipment and drove trucks. For as long as I can remember I have worked, and worked hard. Building our family company, Northern Industrial Training, LLC (NIT) into a successful business has required years
Contributed by Wright for Alaska My fellow Alaskans, Stephen and Andrew are both running from the valley for election in 2016. Stephen and his son Andrew are from Wasilla, Alaska. Stephen Wright, 46, is running for US Congress House Representative against Don Young who has been the
of hard work and sacrifice. But it has been worth it as we have grown our company into a community fixture, and there is nothing like the pride felt of a job well done. When Senator Stoltze announced his retirement, it inspired me to step up and work directly for my community. Campaigning is definitely not easy, but being out in the public, knocking on doors and meeting engaged citizens has encouraged me to work even harder so I can be your senator in Juneau. I am honored to have local groups standup and endorse me, such as: Alaska Outdoor Access Alliance – They know I will fight for access to state and public lands and waters. MatSu Business Alliance – They trust I will fight for the private sector by removing government barriers.
House Representative for Alaska for 43 years. Stephen feels it’s time for Don Young to retire and wants to throw him a retirement party. He has plenty of educational and work experience to qualify as a Congressman. He has an accounting degree (BA), a health administration degree (MBA) and he worked as Resource Advisor in US Air Force and a teacher in rural Alaska for a year. Most importantly, he has the heart and soul to serve. He’s a veteran of 22 years and he is a true conservative pro-life. Yes guns, less
Step Away from My Property Contributed by Brian Endle, Candidate for Mat-Su Borough Assembly The reason I came to Alaska was to enjoy the freedoms of the last frontier. I wanted to get away from the government restrictions of the lower 48 and enjoy the freedom to hunt, fish and own unrestricted property. My wife and I invested in a property and worked hard to build our own home. Shortly after our home was built, the Borough Planning Department, working through our community council brought a zoning effort called a ‘Comprehensive Plan’ to our community. When I went to the council meeting, I learned that there were only fifteen people voting on the final measures of this eighty page zoning effort/ plan without meaningful outreach to our community. When I notified my neighbors, our community became very upset at what this small boroughled group of citizens were doing. The more I investigated this, the more I
discovered that this process was policy at the Mat-Su Borough. We were not the only community to experience this. The Borough Planning Department worked with the Meadow Lakes Community Council to accomplish similar goals in that community. Fifteen people were voting to zone about 7,500 private property owners. They almost got away with it. Had it not been for some alert residents in Meadow Lakes, their community could have been zoned and most would not even have known about it. Some might say that this was a mistake. I sincerely doubt that. They don’t have to notify us properly, so they don’t. Just about two months ago, the Planning Department struck again. This time, they are trying to control 50 to 100 feet of private shoreline property without letting you, the shoreline property owners, or your community council know about it. They went directly to the planning commission and are going to the assembly without community involvement. Would you want the Borough taking ownership of 50 to 100 feet of your property? You’d own the right to pay taxes while they controlled what you
kan’s natural resources have underwritten more than 80 billion over the past 40 years. The goal is to allow for all or part of $8+ billion in the ER to be deemed “Unrestricted” (see pie chart) so the money can be vulnerable to influenced by heavyweight spending advocates. We are told it is time to: • Restructure the Permanent Fund, • Cap the PFD, or even • Preserve or protect the PFD. (Drain some gas out of your gas tank, so you can travel farther!?) These sound bites may represent some noble elements, but they all have one ignoble thing in common: the siphoning of a portion of the ER to be spent as unrestricted general funding, something legislatures have largely avoided over the history of the PF. Siphoning money from the ER into the general fund is a very bad idea - it demeans the value of individual ownership and responsibility, further eroding Alaskan’s sense of ownership of the
natural resources and the government they have been funding. I use the term “arguably” because there are clearly those who disagree. I am not an attorney, but am appealing for application of plain language of the constitution and the implied intent of Alaskan forefathers and the laws they put in place (by previous legislators and governors), to provide a real return (the PFD) to Alaskans to parallel sustainable programs, infrastructure, and services paid for with the other 75% of returns from natural resources. It is sobering to realize the argument must be made in a platform like this instead of in a proper court of law. Keep in mind the people have no designated attorney to make this argument! The Alaska Attorney General is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of the Governor who apparently disagrees. If this ever goes to court, we would have a shocking conflict of interest issue to deal with.
Alaska is at a cross roads. We are in the unique position of having savings, but no revenue coming in. But if we don’t drastically reduce the size of our government we will burn through our savings in just a couple years, leaving Alaska in dire straits.
bring emotional responses from their defenders, but we must address them. For example, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in fiscal year 2013 Alaska had the highest median expenditures in the country: $26,476 per student.
We need action. We need energy. We need people willing to roll up their sleeves and go to work for you by addressing the tough issues, because it is the right thing for Alaska.
While the next nearest state doesn’t even break $20,000 per student. And this amount of spending doesn’t bring success, as Alaska has below-average National Assessment for Education Progress (NAEP) scores. Traditional models have to be evaluated and challenged.
There can be no sacred cows. No program and no agency should be safe, and the cuts and pain will be felt by all. But making these cuts allows us opportunity to look for efficiencies. To find models of success and to duplicate them. We can put Alaska on the path to sustainability, so we can manage the ups and downs of oil revenue, and not dip into the pockets of private citizens to fund a bloated government. We must address the biggest cost drivers of our budget: healthcare and education. Both of these subjects
Healthcare costs in Alaska can be addressed by removing government barriers to allow for investment and competition. There is a lot of work to do to correct our state. But it can be done. Vote for Adam Crum on August 16, and I will go to work for you. For more info please visit CrumForSenate.com
a greater impact than the government or contracted public sector has. We need people who will work tirelessly for the people and not over stay their welcome.
government control and more private sector earning power. With all the lobbyist and special interest around the capitals, we need someone to step up and fight for the people. The private sector always has could do with it through permitting controls. The Riparian ordinance was passed down from the assembly to the planning commission for evaluation on May 16 and the planning commission struck it down unanimously due to lack of notification. I would think that something as important as the taking of land use rights would require significant notification. I would expect that the Planning Department would at least respect citizens’ rights enough to pay for a post card and a stamp to let them know that they were about to take some of our property rights away. The Planning Department almost snuck this one through by calling it “Riparian Buffer Standards On High Priority Salmon Streams”. Many of us, like myself, would probably have no idea what Riparian means as they looked at the title of the proposed ordinance (16-051). “Riparian” comes from a Latin word meaning shoreline and the Planning Department wants to control yours. This isn’t the first time they’ve used words to hide their intent. They won’t call zoning by its proper name. They call it a SpUD (Special Use District). What correlation is there between a potato and zoning?
If you are tired of Don, he’s your man. He also feels that it is important to have turn over in public office to limit corruption and keep government honest. He will only work for Alaskans’ interest and none else. Among his goals is to return federal lands back to Alaska and
In my community council, Buffalo Mine/Soapstone, about 100 people in the 300 household community signed a petition stating that they didn’t know our community council was voting on a zoning effort. Meadow Lakes residents turned in a petition to the Planning Commission containing the names of about 700 individuals. Both zoning efforts were turned down by alert residents. Both times the Borough Planning Department was informed of what happened and how to fix it. However, they have chosen not to act upon it. The fix to this is simple. Mail the residents before you change their land use and ask them if they want to conform to the ideas set forth by the Planning Department. If they want to conform, proceed with planning. If they don’t want to conform, stop the planning effort. For the record, the Borough did mail the residents of Meadow Lakes, but it was about 6 years prior to the vote on the zoning. This nonsense simply needs to be stopped. When elected, I will work to preserve our freedoms, our property rights, our right to know and I will work to fix these problems.
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The PFD, Budget Gap, Vetoes And Passing The Buck To Mat-Su Contributed by Jim Sykes The Legislature and the Governor failed to seriously consider the most important question, “Can we solve the state’s budget gap and keep the Alaska’s PFD structure?” The answer is yes, but it’s not easy. The current structure of the permanent fund with inflation proofing, together with the PFD, are the glue that has held this excellent system together, designed to last for future generations. Any changes need to be well thought out and that hasn’t happened yet. The downturn in oil prices created some stress but we need to reject ideas that would quickly “restructure” the PFD by detaching it from the fund and cutting permanent fund dividends in half. ISER’s March report “Short-Run Economic Impacts of Alaska Fiscal Options” estimates that cuts to the PFD have the highest impacts on Alaskans’ incomes. In other words, it’s less harmful to Alaska’s economy to pay the full PFD
and let Alaskans make their own spending choices and give some of it back, rather than transferring the people’s dividend directly to the government to spend. Former First Lady Bella Hammond and Alaska Constitution Delegate and former Senator Vic Fischer made that clear in a short March video. https://www. youtube.com/embed/Oc1mexcW3RY Political infighting has kept some options from the table that need to be considered, including shaving the rate for permanent fund inflation proofing. While a huge chunk of savings was taken from the Constitutional Budget Reserve, everyone now knows that the state budget gap cannot be bridged with simple cuts. Taking half of Alaskan’s PFD and handing it over to oil tax credits doesn’t seem right either. The Governor vetoed some critical budget items that passed on some fiscal pain. It would have been good to have a little advance warning that $5.7 million would be cut from MatSu’s school bond debt reimbursement instead of leaving the Borough and other local governments, without time to make adjustments to this year’s
approved budget. The Mat-Su school district took a $1.4 million cut to pupil transportation and $821,830 from the Foundation program. So what’s Mat-Su to do with an instant chop of more than 4% of its budget? The Assembly met July 6th to take stock. First, no move was made to change property taxes or the current budget. We need to work through this thoughtfully. Since the legislature is headed back into another special session, the Assembly requested, 1) That legislators override vetoes affecting bonds and school district. 2) If vetoes are not overridden, then legislators could create a supplemental appropriation. While the likelihood of either of these happening is slim, at least the opportunity is there. The Borough has kept its tax mill rate consistent - now lower than several of the past 10 years even though the Borough grew from 78,000 to 103,000 people during that time. The additional services, debt from four recently built schools and many new roads from the 2011 bond package are all carried
Catch and Release Crime Bill Passes Legislature Contributed by Representative Jim Colver Safety concerns of my constituents and the Mat-Su Valley came to a head in October 2015. With the growing heroin/opiate problem in the Valley causing a rise in thefts, burglaries and home invasions, I could not sit quietly in the sidelines knowing that budget constraints would mandate changes in our criminal system. I organized a town hall meeting in Palmer regarding the possible closure of the Palmer Correctional Facility. It was very well attended and constituents had a chance to voice their concerns. The Department of Corrections (DOC) and Department of Public Safety answered questions and concerns the
promote less government with a stronger incentive for keeping what is truly Alaskan like the PFD Alaskan. To read more about him, go to his link: stephenwrightalaska.com. You can also see his Facebook pages: Stephen Wright for Congress 2016, Wright for Alaska.
Contributed by Steve St. Clair As many Alaskans know, there is an 800 pound gorilla in the room and it is the budget woes of Alaska. Many have suggested plans that vary from increased taxes, PFD changes, and spending reductions. This is not a problem that was created overnight and not one that will be solved in one or two sessions. Alaska’s income comes predominately from the monies collected from oil and gas taxes and royalties. The governor recently capped the dividend at $1000, when it should have been over $2000, as his plan to eliminate a $4+ billion deficit. The governor will only collect an estimated $750 million by capping the PFD. Because of the crash of the oil market, Alaska will collect $1.4 billion from the oil and gas royalties; this is insufficient to cover the bloated budget the governor and legislature want (even when the take money from different accounts). So, what is the answer? Do we continue to cap the dividend via SB128? Do we implement new taxes? Do we instate an income tax? The answer to all these questions is no. Capping the dividend
best they could. What did come from that meeting was the clear failure of DOC and the Courts to properly oversee individuals on bail who were released on electronic monitoring (EM) pending trial. We knew, at that time, something had to be done.
before the Court was able to re-arrest them was the basis of my amendments that would require the Department of Corrections (vs. the Court as currently done) to not only oversee pre-trial electronic monitoring but post-release as well.
Senator Coghill was drafting Senate Bill (SB) 91 and I went to work offering amendments as the bill wound through the legislative process to tighten up oversight of defendants released on EM. My staff and I worked very closely with constituent, Vicki Wallner, of Stop Valley Thieves to improve the bill to make our communities and families safer.
The DOC will now be in charge of establishing minimum standards for offenders released pretrial under electronic monitoring, which may include the requirement of active, real-time monitoring using global positioning systems and procedures for oversight and approving electronic monitoring programs and systems provided by private contractors.
Protection of the public is my greatest concern and I worked hard to make my amendments count! The problem of individuals cutting off their monitors and committing multiple crimes
They must also include a requirement for an assessment before a prisoner’s release on parole, furlough, or electronic monitoring from a correctional facility. These amendments also resulted
Andrew Wright, 21, is running for Alaska House Representative for District 10. He’s fed up with Governor Walker’s over-spending on State budgets, over-reach on the PFD and his expensive yet unprofitable natural gas pipeline project. Governor Walker could bankrupt Alaska if he gets his way.
has been shown as the most damaging and regressive tax. New taxes are a band aid to excessive government spending and will increase the cost of goods, which are already high due to Alaska’s remote location. An income tax would only impact about one-third of working Alaskans and would punish those trying to better themselves. I believe an income tax will push those paying an income tax out of the state. The answer is reducing the size of government to one that is constitutionally mandated and one that Alaska can afford. This is not going to be easy, but anything worth having is not easy. The governor and current legislature do not have the desire or will to significantly reduce the budget by making hard choices and following the Alaskan constitution. If you do not have a copy of the Alaskan constitution, your local Legislative Information Office (LIO) should have copies or you can find it online. Senate Seat F is going to be vacated by retiring Sen. Bill Stoltze. There are three republican candidates running for this seat. Representative Shelley Hughes, Businessman Adam Crum and Citizen
Andrew feels he can be an influence to stop Governor Walker before it’s too late. Like his father, Andrew also has the conservative values and he’s always interested in politics and public affairs locally and globally. He has a Facebook page called Fight4PFD. He is a graduate of Wasilla High School class of 2013.
within the current budget without a tax mill rate increase. Two years ago Assembly Member Beck and I invited people to talk about priorities, risks and opportunities a couple years ago. Fifty or sixty people brought their ideas even though there was no pressure at that time. Now there is pressure and I will be inviting the people back for a closer look at what’s in this year’s approved budget. There will be cuts to projects and services. By inviting people’s best ideas we can better decide what’s most important to keep and how we will pay for it and avoid the toxic partisan politics as we solve our local common problems. Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome at jimsykesdistrict1@gmail.com. Meantime, legislators need encouragement to override the Governor’s local school and PFD vetoes. Jim Sykes represents District 1 on the Mat-Su Assembly. The opinions stated are his own and do not reflect any official positions of the Assembly or Mat-Su Borough.
in having a pre-trial services program woven into the bill. I worked on other provisions to tighten up the bill. For instance, I supported an amendment to reinstate jail time for first time offenders if convicted of a Class C Felony, which the bill reduced the maximum sentence to 120 days of probation. The House spent a week passionately debating amendments to tighten up or loosen the bill before the final vote. I adamantly argued against passage of the SB 91 which I call “Catch and Release”, because it not only fails to provide justice to victims of crime, it doesn’t deliver promised treatment for drug addicts and most importantly, it makes our communities less safe. You didn’t send me to Juneau to vote for the catch and release of criminals. More than ever, we all need to be good neighbors and keep an eye out for each other.
Dear fellow Alaskans, the future of Alaska is in your hands. Show up and vote for them as the primary season is upon us. Early voting begins August 1 and goes through August 16th with the general elections on November 8th. Don’t forget to make you vote count and vote for the Wrights for your rights.
Activist Steve St.Clair. So who is the best candidate to keep Senate seat F in conservative control? That will be in the hands of the voters.
A board member of Alaska Support Industry Alliance, which promotes positive relationships between oil companies and the government.
Here is my assessment: I am one of the candidates so I encourage you analyze the data listed below and email me for my sources and the rationale for my analysis:
Citizen Activist Steve St.Clair: Retired Military Police First Sergeant, 20+ years of selfless service defending the United States and our constitution. Former President and CEO of Conservative Patriots Group (CPG), at the time was the largest conservative organization in Alaska.
Representative Shelley Hughes: Representative Hughes has taken credit for 16% reductions in the budget but 11% of those reductions were by the governor. Representative Hughes has voted 97% of the time on final passage of bills, with the establishment (the remaining 3% were excused absences). The 3 finance sub committees she co-chairs has reduced the budget by a combined 4.19 percent. Businessman Adam Crum: Has never been involved in politics at the grassroots level. Has not voted in a city or borough election as far back as 2008, He is a co-owner of a business funded by state agencies and nonprofits. There is no incentive to reduce the size of government.
Citizen activist who has been involved in the rallying the grassroots for a myriad of causes and co-author of the UFL budget. On August 16th, Alaskans residing in Palmer, Fairview, Butte, Peters Creek, and Wasilla will have a choice to make. Do you vote for the person who can best help Alaska move a sustainable budget or vote for the continuation of big Alaska budgets? It’s in your hands. I ask for your vote and support on August 16. Vote Steve St. Clair for Senate. Additional information can be obtained by emailing me at stclairforsenate@gmail.com or visiting my website at www.Steveforsenate. com God Bless.
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Dreams Turn Into Reality Contributed by Antiqua Lisha Have you ever had a dream that seemed so big, so out of this world, you questioned yourself for ever even having it? What happened to it? Did you scoot, crawl, and baby step to its reality or believe the voice of impossibility and move on? This one decision is what separates the movers from the shakers. It takes guts to fail and fall and still stick to your dreams. But those who do, succeed. Just think of a baby. (You may have heard this before, but stick with me here.) Would you tell a baby with a desire to crawl not to roll over or scoot, or with a desire to walk not to stand? I will assume (forgive me) your saying no right now in your head. That is the exact way that dreams come true. We have a desire for something first, then we begin a journey. No one
had written a book before they learned first to write, and I’ve never met someone who spelled everything correctly their first go at it in elementary school. So often we poo-poo on our dreams because we don’t get it right the first time, because we have to crawl and work at it. And I am here writing this article today to inspire you to scoot, crawl and fall all the way to your big dream and beyond. When I was 7 I had a dream, a vision of a big concert with people celebrating being alive. At 13 I found my cause (ending the cycle of abuse) and for the next (almost) 30 years I have scooted, crawled, stood and baby-stepped through the cure (personal development) to witness my dream turn into reality. It changed a bit along the way with each step. I could see with more clarity what the little girl at seven first had floor view of a glimpse. Over the course of my life, I have been taught to stand and walk and then run towards the reality of what is happening July
23rd at the Palmer Ale House in Palmer, Alaska. My desire to help people move away from abuse into safety, and not only be safe but recreate their lives ending family cycles for good. This dream like a baby was born, then scooted, crawled and stood with the support of loving hands and tables. And now I am letting go, and you are invited to run with us.
donation you make will go towards supporting this cause to educate, empower and give life back to those who are suffering from the low self-esteem that abuse creates. Join us in Palmer July 23 on the green at The Ale House 11-5 and help us, help more people in our own backyard and beyond.
As an America’s Premier Expert coach and owner of a company that hosts events with top coaches from around the world in personal development. I have had to dream big and work to build the support system behind our non-profit Divinely YOU so we can have a significant impact and chance the face of abuse recovery in the world, ending cycles for generations to come. True freedom and healing begin with choosing to believe in yourself; which is why we are dedicating a day of music and fun and celebration to this cause, and you are invited to celebrate you with us. We have great bands, amazing vendors and self-care galore. Every
Tribute To A Special Young Man Contributed by Vic Kohring
A year ago this month, our family lost a precious member to an unfortunate accident. It has taken me a full year to work up the courage to write about my nephew Aaron, who was a week shy of his 27th birthday the day he went to be with his Lord and Savior. Aaron was one of the most remarkable human beings who ever graced this earth, and whom I had the privilege of knowing as his uncle. He was more like a son than a nephew. I witnessed a lifetime of decency in him, an amazing individual with an upbeat and friendly disposition to go with a beaming smile. Aaron was totally dedicated to his family and friends. His kindness, loving and caring made a positive difference to many. I will never forget driving down a road one year with Aaron who was seven at the time. He looked over and said, “I love you Uncle Vic!” Aaron brought so much happiness to others. Each of those he came in contact with felt special in his presence,
Contributed by Josh Fryfogle It took Larry all of his time to learn where everything was - that ability to locate anything was tied to a strict system of everything-in-it’s-place. While it was amazing to see a blind man navigate such a huge collection of things with greater ease than most people with sight, his lectures about proper placement and care of his things were a firm reminder of the effort he put into that ability. His world was his home. Outside his home he was lost, just a few feet from his fenced yard might as well have been miles. Inside he was in complete control. Unless someone moved something. Larry had a four track recorder that we learned to use together, recording my songs. Of course, I was more interested in hearing my music on tape - like a monkey with a mirror - not realizing any practical application of these skills that this blind fellow was teaching me. He knew the concepts, but needed me to place his hands on the appropriate controls of this unfamiliar machine. I would guide his hand from left to right, as he memorized where each control
making their day seem brighter. His giving heart, generous nature, humility and compassion toward others made him extraordinary and one-of-akind. Aaron had a wonderful effect on people’s lives both in and outside Alaska - even literally around the world in places where his job took him as a petroleum engineer with Royal Dutch Shell. Everywhere he went, he left a trail of friends as people became endeared while being naturally drawn to him. Aaron’s church pastor Steve Reem used to say that he aspired to be like him, which is a huge compliment coming from a leader in the Christian community. I also find myself striving “to be like Aaron” to this day. There are times when I face a challenge in life and stop to think… How would Aaron handle this? It speaks a lot for the kind, thoughtful, humble person he was - a testament and shining example of how to live your life. “One in a million,” Pastor Reem said recently. These qualities have become Aaron’s legacy. There really are no words eloquent enough to do full justice in describing Aaron. I was honored to know him, an exceptional young man who reached so many during his short life. This
was. He would simultaneously teach me what each control would do, using my own songs as a subject. Over time, we both learned so much. He slowly became masterful with the controls, while I began to understand the concepts of sound engineering. He rarely mixed his family with his friends, but on occasion we would meet at his house. One occasion his sister and her friend were there. Four people, enough for a game of bridge! Larry invited us for a quick game, dealing out his set of Brail cards, and winning repeatedly - trash talking us like we were playing full contact sports! So much enthusiasm, he loved the company, and loved to excel at anything he could. We were all glad to lose to him, seeing what it did for his confidence. I loved those times with Larry through the years. He was my friend, and I was a wayward youth who he told the truth. A truth that I needed to hear apparently, since he repeated it to me throughout the years. “Everybody’s different.”
world is a better place because of him. He definitely enriched my life, leaving memories I’ll always cherish. My family and I miss Aaron terribly. Seldom has a day gone by when we don’t shed tears, remembering how deeply he touched our lives. But we take comfort knowing he remains with us in spirit and that we’ll reunite someday. Our separation will be brief in the larger scheme of life as we wait to cross over and join Aaron on the other side where he awaits patiently. In the meantime, we hold him in
He said it so often, I eventually noticed that he only said it to me. It wasn’t something he said carelessly to everyone, but something that seemed to encapsulate his message to me. He knew I didn’t want any more people telling me anything. I was free, foolish but free. So he distilled his message so that I would not get lost in an argument within myself or with others. He made our relationship possible by doing this. He made me welcome by allowing my weaknesses. Because of his way of dealing with me, putting up with me at times, he became my trusted friend. I would vent to him, tell him all my youthful problems, and he would let me rattle on and on. Sometimes he would bring me back to reality - “I’m f’n blind!” Suddenly my problems were smaller, as he would smile into the distance. Before long, he would repeat his advice that we are all different. He reminded me to make a space for people’s weaknesses, by reminding me of my own. Larry struggled with opiate addiction, finally overdosing intentionally on his pharmaceuticals - after Hurricane
our hearts and dwell on the good memories and happy times spent together while celebrating that he’s now in a much better place, rejoicing with his Lord. Psalm 34:18 says “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those crushed in spirit.” Jesus said in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” These words give us strength. I ask that you follow my nephew’s example by showing your love and appreciation for others each and every day. And remember that love is the greatest gift of all.
Katrina took the roof off of his home, and he lost everything. For Larry, the thought of replacing all that he had lost was just too much. It wasn’t indemnification of assets that was the problem. It was the relearning of everything. Katrina didn’t just destroy Larry’s home - she destroyed his world. From his perspective, it was the apocalypse. No insurance claim could replace what was lost, as if everything had been moved, all of it all at once. He was lost. I miss Larry terribly sometimes. When I feel lost in life, I wish I could tell him about my problems, so that he could jar me into reality. I wish he could give me some insight, with his course language and honesty. I wish he hadn’t taken all those pills, and his own life. I wish I had been within driving distance, to be there for him, perhaps I could have helped him learn where things were again. I wish I could have guided his hands, and helped him find control. “Everybody’s different,” he would say. So simple, a blind man could see it.
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Big Lake Summer Fishing Derby Contributed by Big Lake Chamber of Commerce The Big Lake Chamber of Commerce kicks off its annual (once fall now summer) fishing derby August 6 & 7 with two days of fun and prizes for all ages at Burkeshore Marina in Big Lake. The family friendly event promotes sport fishing in the Mat-Su Borough community and encourages families to participate in a healthy outdoor event. This year we’ve brought a little extra to the event.
divisions, 10 to 15 & 9 and under. This year Artic Cat has guaranteed an Alterra 400 Four-Wheeler to be awarded to one of the 1st thru 3rd place winners in the adult categories! The Big Lake Chamber, thanks again to Arctic Cat, has added a tagged fish element to the traditional derby and raffle event. The prizes are going to be fantastic! Arctic Cat has sponsored a prize package valued at $20,000, exclusively for the one who catches the tagged fish.
The Big Lake Derbies are designed for anglers of all ages. Cash prizes are awarded to 1st through 3rd place winners in the adult categories: Trout, Dolly & Women’s.
This year’s raffle prizes include a $500 Gift Certificate from Sportsmen’s Warehouse and a Yukon Rack valued at $375 courtesy of Yukon Rack. Be sure and check out these amazing built- for Alaskan bunk beds on Facebook!
Trophies are awarded to youth 1st through 3rd place in both Dolly and Trout categories. There are two age
More prizes will be rolling in between now and the derby. There are lots of chances to win big! Remember you
Contributed by Eddie Ezelle, MatSu Food Bank Hello from the MatSu Food Bank, your local food bank! We would like to talk about “Use by Dates” you find on pretty much every packaged food you buy. The date on the can is a use by, or sell by date. It does not mean that the food goes bad the day after the date on the package. It means that it is freshest if the “Use By” is observed. In the case of stores, they have to sell it by the “Sell By” date to assure you are getting the best possible freshness for the money you are spending. It also assures the store is rotating their stock and not selling you older food and representing it as freshest. We in the non-profit areas of food depend on this labeling to obtain food to give away. So if you are cleaning out your pantry, do not throw any food out because of a date. If it is obviously bad, leaking, punctured or otherwise visibly questionable, then yes, dispose of it. If you are still not sure, bring it to
us. We have volunteers trained in inspecting the products for safety and consume ability. We also have animal farmers that can take the older products and if all else fails, we then dispose of it. This also helps the landfills and animals which ultimately effects all of us. So I would like to leave you with the idea to bring any food you wish to dispose of, contribute or just donate, to please bring it to us at the MatSu Food Bank, or your nearest pantry and we will be sure it is used and distributed for the best use. And we thank you for monetary donations.
don’t have to fish to win and you don’t have to win the top prize to have fun! Arctic Cat will be out there with us offering demo rides. Thanks to our amazing sponsors for helping to pull off yet another great event! MTA, MVFCU, Country Legend’s, Sportsmen’s Warehouse, AK Custom Containers & Storage, Coast Magazine, Yukon Rack, DG Signs, Scotts Heating & Air Conditioning Services, AK Custom Containers, Lowes, Moonshine Shop, Steve’s Toyo Stove, Hilda’s Barber Shop and Mat-Su Test Lab! It is never too late to get involved! The Chamber encourages those interested in being part of the event to check in with Deb Kirk at 892-6109. For more details, contact the Big Lake Chamber of Commerce at (907) 892- 6109 or biglake@mtaonline.net
Contributed by Joni Gerharz At Menard Center Saturday, October 8, 2016 6pm-9pm Hosted By: Rotary Uncorked
This year’s event is to be held on Saturday Night, October 8th at the Menard Center 6 to 9pm. Event tickets are $65.00 each, raffle tickets are $10.00 each. 1st prize for the raffle is 100 bottles of wine and 2nd prize is 100 bottles of beer! We will be supporting MY House and Sertoma, along with other local community service organizations to help the Mat-Su be a better place. Tickets can be purchased online at http://rotaryuncorked.akmobi. org. Please come help us “Do Great Good” while enjoying an education in pairing fine wines and brews with the best of the culinary offerings!
PIZZA Humdingers Pizza ........ 745-7499 PLUMBING & HEATING Rock Solid Plumbing ........ 331-0488 PRINT SERVICES The UPS Store ........ 376-6245 RADIO 95.5 The Pass ........ 631-0877 REPAIR, RESTORATION AK Cell Repair ........ 745-4880 Comtronics ........ 373-2669 SALONS B Bella Salon ........ 746-9007 SMOKE SHOPS Alaska Pipe Dreams ........ 746-1500 SPECIALTY GIFTS Alaska Midnite Scents ........ 357-7364 Forever Endeavor ........ 745-4387 NonEssentials ........ 745-2258 Silvertip Design ........ 745-2902 THRIFT SHOPS Red Barn Thrift Store ........ 745-5050 Saving Grace Thrift Store ........ 414-8643 Steam Driven Boutique ........ 376-4404 Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Stores ........ 376-5708 TOYS Just Imagine Toys ........ 357-1543
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Quilts of Valor Display at the Museum of Alaska Transportation in Wasilla PRESS RELEASE The Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry and the North Star Quilters annual quilt show promises to be the biggest show ever! There will be more quilts than ever on display this year. This year’s show will include quilts from the “Quilts of Valor” project started by a quilter in Washington who wanted to give back to our servicemen and servicewomen that have been touched by war.
March of Dimes Alaska is proud to partner with Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and Ptarmigan Pediatrics, LLC to present our 5th annual High Heels for High Hopes event September 24, 2016 7pm at the Glenn Massay Theater! This year local business men and women will sing, dance and strut their stuff to Broadway’s greatest hits from yesterday to present day, all in the name of giving every baby a fighting chance. Funds raised from this event will assist March of Dimes Alaska in its core mission of improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality through research, community service, education and advocacy. This year one of our current models, Sabrena Combs, was drawn to participate because of her own experience, which we would like to share: “When my son, Riker, was born, he had some breathing difficulties and had to be taken by ambulance to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Providence Hospital in Anchorage from Mat-Su Regional Medical Center here in Palmer. My husband and I were terrified. Within
a couple hours of arriving at the NICU, a representative from March of Dimes was there to talk to us – she was so kind, helping explain the process and the resources available to us should we need assistance. We didn’t end up needing that assistance but it was absolutely amazing to have someone there to help navigate us through one of the scariest experiences in our lives. Just knowing there was someone there that could help was an enormous weight off of our shoulders. Thankfully Riker ended up great but there were so many babies in the NICU that had to be there for weeks or months. I’m certain that March of Dimes helps give the comfort they gave us to each and every one of those families. I participate in the High Heels for High Hopes event because healthy mamas and healthy babies is a cause everyone can and should support – making sure all of those precious babies in the NICU get home and get healthy should be a top priority.” Mat-Su Regional Medical Center’s Chief Nursing Officer Emily M. Stevens CNO, RN, BSN, MSN had this to say about their participation as partners for this year’s event: “Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is extremely proud to assist with this outstanding night, showcasing the talent and pride here in the Valley. Working with the March of Dimes, ensuring a healthy start for the generations to come”
colors of red, white and blue will be proudly displayed July 30th from noon to 3pm at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry. Over the years Quilts of Valor has given over 142,000 quilts made from many hearts to provide warmth and love to those servicemen and women who served our country. Cat and Marcia called upon their friends and family to help with their goal for over 30 quilts each!
These quilts bring warmth, appreciation and healing to whom they are intended.
Their Quilts of Valor project has been in the works for months and it will be a privilege to view these awesome quilts in person before they are presented to their recipients across the country.
The local effort for the Quilts of Valor project is a personal project of Cat Thompson and friend Marcia Harlamert. The Quilts of Valor, most in our patriotic
Come see the most quilts ever displayed at MATI 3800 W Museum Drive and please join us Saturday, July 30th from 12pm-3pm.
Local Business Women and Men are working hard to raise money in honor of healthy babies everywhere. They are competing for the 2016 March of Dimes Stiletto Award! On September 24th they will Sing, Dance, and Strut the Runway all in the name of Healthy Babies.
Support your local Models! Rick Allen, Marta Kopperud, Sabrena Combs, Kaelyn Allender, Heidi Walter, Teri Seward-Kuhl, Pam Burlingame , Nancy Munson, Steven Blades, Brian Kelleher, Tamar Ben-Yosef www.marchofdimes.org/Alaska or call 276 -4111 Tickets, sponsors, donate to a model!
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The public work session is aimed at exchanging ideas and generating momentum for an action plan designed to promote local food access, economic opportunity and community livability in the greater Palmer area. The full-day session will be led by a consultant team from Progressive Urban Management Associates, which specializes in local food systems. The team will be crafting an action plan around the input and ideas generated during the community discussion. This federal initiative is led by the White House in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The initiative’s goal is to provide technical support to integrate local food systems into community economic action plans.
ing or contributing to the success of Grow Palmer or the general local food environment through involvement in the action plan to be developed. Those interested in attending the workshop are asked to RSVP to growpalmer@ gmail.com or to Jan Newman at 907232-5016. About Grow Palmer: Grow Palmer started in 2013. This is our fourth growing season. Grow Palmer is a grassroots movement dedicated to creating lasting change in our local food system, fostering connections with community, businesses and traditions of Palmer: including plants, animals, and soils that produce our food.
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and I really benefit from being around other hemispherectomy survivors.
forward to the 2017 Hemispherectomy Conference/Reunion.
This summer, the conference took place in Colorado & I was asked if I would give a speech about how I have overcome having half my brain removed. Since the Baltimore conference, I have moved out on my own, gotten a job & have had to learn to do the everyday tasks of adulthood, such as cooking, budgeting my paychecks & figuring out my transportation.
Until then, I will keep in touch with the families I know, connect with new families online & continue to set an example for the kids like me.
In the foundation, no parent ever really knows what their kids are capable of because every case is different. There’s always the question of whether their child will ever be well enough to live on their own and be a regular member of society. I am living on my own though and it is very special to share that with these families. I am able to give the parents hope for their children & inspire the kids to work hard to achieve their dreams. During the conference, I told everyone that I spoke with that you can do anything that you put half your mind to.
ABOVE: Monika Jones is one of the people that I really look up to. She is the president of the Brain Recovery Project and works hard to help all the people in the Hemispherectomy Foundation while trying to help her son who still has seizures. I believe she is Super Woman.
My favorite part of the conference wasn’t sharing my testimony though. It was hanging out with all the families. A few people actually nicknamed me “Butterfly” because I would flit around talking to everyone. I was never in one place for long because I wanted to make sure that I spoke with each family at least once. Sitting by the pool with the parents, hanging out in the lobby with the other young adults, swimming with the kids, dancing with a very sweet guy... Those were my favorite parts of the conference. Those are memories that will stick in my head forever & will tide me over until the next conference where I will make more memories with my friends who are like family.
All interested residents are welcome to join the full-day session, especially those interested in directly work-
Contributed by Josh Fryfogle
I don’t know where I’ll be living or what I’ll be doing a year from now, but I look
My friend Larry Head was blind.
ABOVE: Bennett was one of the teenagers that I met for the first time this year. After my speech, he came up to me and said that I had inspired him to work harder to achieve his dreams - because if I can do it, he can too. It was very special to have one of the teenagers say this to me!
The Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders PRESS RELEASE Skye Paige Dagenhart of Palmer has been nominated for the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Boston, MA. Skye Dagenhart, an upcoming senior at Colony High School and Alaska Middle College of Palmer, Alaska, is a delegate of the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Lowell, MA on June 29th - July 1st, 2016. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM).
Bose - Academic Director of the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists - to represent Colony High School and Alaska Middle College based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and passion for science and technology. During the three day Congress, Skye will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science winners talk about leading scientific research, be given advice from deans of the world’s top tech universities, be inspired by fellow teen science prodigies, learn about cutting edge advances and the future of science and technology.
The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country who aspire to be scientists and technologists to stay true to their dream and after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.
“This is a crucial time in America when we need more nimble-minded and creative scientists and technologists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially,” said Richard Rossi, Executive Director, National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists.
Skye was nominated by the winner of the first Google Science Fair, Shree
“Focused, bright and determined students like Skye Dagenhart are our
future and she deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give her.” The Academy offers free services and programs to students who have the desire to learn more about their future in science or technology. Some of the services and programs the Academy offers include online social networks through which future scientists and technologists can communicate, opportunities for students to be guided and mentored by tech and science leaders, communications for parents and students on college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, career guidance and much more. The Academy was founded on the belief that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education plays a critical role in enabling the United States to remain the economic and technological leader of the global marketplace of the 21st century and that we must identify prospective talent at the earliest possible age and help these students acquire the necessary experience and
I was young when I first met Larry. My dad had done some work for him, and thought I would find his music collection interesting. Larry Head had the biggest collection of compact discs I had ever seen! Throughout his home were shelves upon shelves of 5-disc cartridges, black plastic units that Larry could locate in a moment. You name it, he had it! Such a wide collection of music, thousands upon thousands of titles, in these 5-disc cartridges - unlabeled 5-disc cartridges.
skills to take them to the doorstep of vital careers. Based in Washington, DC and with an office in Boston, MA, the Academy was chartered as a nonpartisan, taxpaying institution to help address this crisis by working to identify, encourage and mentor students who wish to devote their lives to advances in society as scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians.
We would spend lots of time together throughout the years that I lived within driving distance of him. He sold me my first nice guitars - a black Gibson L6-S and a red Gibson Les Paul studio with gold hardware. He also sold me a Mercury Cougar SS - yep, a blind man sold me a car. His sister would come to take him to appointments and for shopping in that car, until he decided to sell it to me. When I didn’t have a car of my own, I would ask my musical friends to give me a ride to visit Larry, and admire his collection and amazing ability to remember where all those CDs were located. He would tell me, “Small Fry,” my dad was apparently Big Fry, “Go over to the hall closet, second shelf down, third row from the left, fifth cartridge down...” Or some similar directions, leading me from room to room to my friends’ amazement. He would tell us what we were about to hear, as he placed the cartridge in the player and selected the disc with his remote control. His massive stereo was so impressive, using two huge speakers, along with surround sound - total immersion. There was one steadfast rule at Larry’s house. It was of the utmost importance! Put things back, exactly where you found them! He would sometimes call me after I had visited with friends to complain that something was not replaced in its proper spot. A pen, a disc cartridge, whatever. Larry would explain to everyone that they should put things back exactly where they picked them up. Moving something just a few inches was practically the same as hiding it, he would explain to us in much more coarse language. It took Larry all of his time to learn where everything was - that ability