The Commons December/January Issue

907.632.5432

Introducing Kelly Strong, World Class Esthetician Formerly from Feather Studio and Shelly Kirby, Nail Technician Straight from Colorado!

• Men & Women Haircuts • Weddings & Up-dos • Hair Color, Color Correction, Perms • Hair Extensions • Eyelash Extensions

• Facials • Esthetician & Waxing • Age Defined Skin Care • Mani-Pedi • Gel Nails & Gel Pedicures (Acrylic, Shellac and Gelish)

Eagle River, Chugiak, Birchwood, Peters Creek, Mat-Su, JBER, Anchorage, Girdwood, and the Kenai Peninsula

Serving all of Mat-Su, Anchorage & Eagle River

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Every few months, The Commons takes some time to interview a local business owner in town. It is very exciting for us to introduce you to Alice Sullivan, owner of Eagle River Ballet!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING DANCE AND HAVE YOU WANTED TO BE A BALLET TEACHER SINCE YOU WERE LITTLE? I was fortunate to be asked to teach in my home studio at age 16. It was a positive experience and gave me a chance to explore that part of my dancing career. Very soon I continued teaching in Seward, Elmendorf AFB, and Homer while training and performing in Anchorage. So, that would make it 45 years of teaching! I always knew I wanted to continue dancing for as long as it was possible, but never thought to limit myself to just teaching.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH BALLET AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A DANCE TEACHER? My first experience was at age 5 when my mother signed me up for ballet, acrobatics and tap classes. It wasn’t until I was about 13 that I got more serious and continued to study with goals of becoming a professional dancer. I decided to become a teacher because I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of teaching, making a difference in the lives of all my students, reinforcing what I was learning, recognizing that a living could be made from teaching full time, and it kept me in touch with people of all ages.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT IN TEACHING FIRST-TIME CLASSES TO YOUNG DANCERS? Teach to the students - no matter their level or age. Help students to discover themselves, explore possibilities and try to develop a passion for dance. Help them find the joy in dance and grow from the experience of taking classes. It is very hard work and only a few make it into a career.

WHAT AGE IS THE AGE OF THE YOUNGEST STUDENT YOU HAVE EVER TAUGHT? The youngest student I have ever taught was just 3 years old!

WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER AS A DANCE TEACHER? All are memorable moments! In 45 years, it is still most enjoyable to take the most “unlikely to succeed” students from square one into something special, where they recognize dance is one of the most important parts of a day or week in their lives. One that has made a huge impact on other areas of their growth and development.

WHAT DO PEOPLE NOT KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD OF BALLET? How to select a dance school that will help students succeed. How to find the best resources from skilled and experienced instructors to guide and coach young students of dance, to help them put it into perspective.

WHAT ARE THE MOST CHALLENGING THINGS STUDENTS GENERALLY FACE IN BALLET? Their pre-conceived notions of what ballet is and that bodies need to be of a certain type in order to succeed or experience progress. No matter their age, one of the first challenges is facing themselves in the mirror - leotards, tights, and nowhere to hide. You are completely exposed. There is much to learn and it is physical, mental, and artistic. The faults are obvious and students tend to be hard on themselves, or overly critical about the results and thus forgetting the journey.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE STEPS/ MOVES TO PERFORM AS WELL AS TEACH? Jumps, Turns, and petit allegro. Though at this time of my life, ALL of it is my favorite because moving slowly and stretching is so important!

IF YOU HADN’T CHOSEN THIS CAREER, WHAT MIGHT YOU BE DOING? I have never given this much thought! A few possibilities: Classical pianist for ballet classes, or an administrative career or similar.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? Since opening Eagle River Ballet, I have loved meeting so many people who live here and just coming to know our community. Thank you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS HO HO HO ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Phone: (907) 696-3283 trenandave@mtaonline.net longaberger.com/trenawhisnant

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the commons • Cell: 907-252-4324 • thecommons@outlook.com

IF YOU BREAK IT WE CAN FAKE IT! Walk-ins Are Welcome...

Appointments Appreciated

Monday – Saturday: 10 am to 8 pm Sundays: 11 am to 5 pm

Kim Mattison DoTERRA Wellness Advocate # 648626 Phone: 907-862-1924

12812 Old Glenn Hwy Suite #A-9 in the Firelake Plaza

Phone: 907-694-6789

• Commercial Snowplowing • New Windows & Doors • Bathrooms & Kitchens • Laminate & Tile Flooring • Interior Painting • What Honey wants, Honey gets!

Licensed - Insured - Free Estimates Alaska Business License #743019 Serving all of Mat-Su, Anchorage & Eagle River

907.632.5432

MERRY CHRISTMAS HO HO HO ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Available for booking in the Anchorage, Eagle River and Matsu areas.

COME PLAY SOME BINGO WITH US!

REGULAR SHOWS: Monday's: Maverick at 9PM Thursday's: Copper Top at 9PM (formerly Hooligan's Lounge)

Bingo begins at 7:30PM every Thursday and Friday night!

12 games $18 • Last game pays $1000 Located in Eagle River Bowl Pull tabs open 7 days a week!

Sun. - Thurs. 4PM - 10PM Fri. and Sat. 4PM - 11PM

SONG REQUESTS: Rare: We don’t have your song, but you can request it in advance for $2.

Medium: We usually have your song.

Well Done: We always have your songs!

DON’T GET CAUGHT WITHOUT A PARKING SPOT.

Bowling leagues have started so arrive early!

mention this ad

Starts at 8PM

Bowling closes at 7PM Christmas Eve. The Bar is open regular hours Christmas Eve and will be closed Christmas Day. 12130 Regency Dr, Eagle River Phone: 694-6670 eagleriverbowl.com 6

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MERRY CHRISTMAS HO HO HO ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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the commons • Cell: 907-252-4324 • thecommons@outlook.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS HO HO HO ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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WE CARRY A WIDE ASSORTMENT OF ORGANIC SPICES, HERBAL AND LOOSE TEAS, ESSENTIAL OILS, HERBS AND NATURAL PRODUCTS, HENNA, ESSENTIAL OILS, INCENSE, COPPER BRACELETS!

Cast Iron Teapots, Assorted Lotions/Soaps, Nebulizers and more!

Phone 907-398-7388 Open Tues. - Sat. 11:00AM to 5:30PM Closed Sunday and Monday Peninsula Center Mall | Soldotna, Alaska

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Homeopathy: The Gentle Art of Healing Vitamins, Probiotics, Acidophilus, Omega, Minerals, Antioxidents, Supplements, Amino Acids, Gluten-Free Supplements and more!

Enter the following code in the shopping cart at iHerb.com and receive up to $10 off your first purchase.

DOZ224 SHOP NOW! * This offer is valid for iHerb new customers only – when placing their first order.

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the commons • Cell: 907-252-4324 • thecommons@outlook.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS HO HO HO ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Every year around this time we see and hear all of the commercials to “get your flu shot!”, with warnings to protect yourself for “Flu Season”. Some people get them, some people don’t, but inevitably people still get sick.

American Flu Season Syndrome (AFSS), is a weakened immune system that isn’t prepared for the seasonal weather change.

A healthy varied diet is great, but an Organic diet really does make a difference in your immune system. Almost all

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produce in grocery stores are grown using chemical fertilizers full of dyes, petroleum byproducts, fillers and worse yet Heavy Metals. I have met several people who cannot eat store bought veggies because of the chemicals, because it makes their face and throat swell up.

The continued use of these products and the “Modernization” of American agriculture with big industry tactics and Monsanto GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) has left the soil and our ground

the commons • Cell: 907-252-4324 • thecommons@outlook.com

water poisoned and American health riddled with new diseases like behavioral disorders in our children, auto immune deficiencies and increased rates of diabetes from refined and synthetic sugars. Industrial animal farming is no better, animals are pumped full of steroids, hormones and antibiotics so they can be kept in substandard living conditions with more yield for less investment and then we inoculate these problems into ourselves.

As a vegetarian of 17 years in America, I found the diet learning curve to be very sharp. I work with the public everyday, all day, and have been sick three or four times in the last decade. Here are some simple things that we can do to prepare our community for AFSS one by one.

1. 1Teach your children and practice proper hygiene; hand washing, covering your mouth when you sneeze/cough and now more than ever, with Ebola present, not touching your face after you touch anything with your hands in public.

2. 2Wear a hat and layers of clothes especially warm socks - your feet regulate your body temperature.

3. Eat a healthy varied organic diet. Bee Pollen from your area/state will protect you from seasonal allergy’s like a Natural vaccine and it is 40% protein with half of the protein in the form of free amino acids, it has almost all nutrients required

by a human being, along with fiber Bee Pollen has antibiotic properties and will re-balance and correct deficiencies common with incomplete modern diets.

Bee Pollen is a Superfood meaning it contains everything you need to live besides water. Bee Pollen has more protein than any animal source on the planet.

4. Get plenty of rest and keep a daily routine if possible 5. Exercise daily, stay positive!

6. Share these tips with a friend, education is the best prevention.

Contributed by Jay at Fairtrade Organic Gardening Supply (907) 770-5675 6120 Old Seward Hwy Anchorage, Alaska www.fairtradeorganicgardens.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS HO HO HO ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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11710 Business Boulevard Eagle River, AK 99577

Phone: 907-694-3800 Dr. Kathryn Martell, Medical Director Dr. Julie Hanlon, Associate Veterinarian Dr. Michael Harlow, Associate Veterinarian Teresa Heaston, Hospital Manager

ALASKA HUMANE SOCIETY ALASKA HUMANE SOCIETY ALASKA ADOPT-A-CAT SHELTER HUMANE SOCIETY

OUR SHELTER...We accept cats on the basis of need, not adoptability. We provide all of our cats with nurturing care, nutritious food, medical attention as needed, and a loving home until they are adopted. While not every cat is always adopted, those who are not stay with us as long as they live.

We are a no-kill shelter.

MONDAY THRU FRIDAY, 7-9 PM. SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, 3-6 PM. (907) 344-8808 14

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Research proves secondhand tobacco smoke is harmful for pets: Dogs are 3 times more likely to develop lung or nasal cancer.

Dogs can have allergic reactions. Scratching, biting and chewing their skin might not be from fleas or food allergies.

Cigarette butts are lethal. Even a very few accidentally ingested by a pet can be lethal.

Cats have higher rates of feline lymphoma, a deadly form of cancer and squamous cell oral cancer. When cats groom, they injest poisons from secondhand smoke that have settled on their fur. Cats can develop breathing problems, inflamed lungs and asthma.

Birds can also suffer from pneumonia or lung cancer. Other health risks include eye, skin, heart & fertility problems.

Keep your pets safe!

Protect them from secondhand smoke.

Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line 1-800-QUIT-NOW 1-800-784-8669

For local information call 907-486-9847

Alaska Statewide Inspection Services We are a Local Vendor for Insurance Companies, offering Insurance Underwriting Services that include:

Premium Audits Commercial/Residential/HV Inspections O/V, Wind Mitigation, HUD Security Checks Roof Evaluations and Brush Surveys Contractor Verifications and Loss Reports Chase and Surveillance Services Let us put you in touch with the right people so your inspections get completed in a quality manner on time!

Cell: 907-252-6734

email: akstatewide@outlook.com

Whether you are building a cabin, a home, or have commercial needs, we can provide the services you need at an affordable price.

We offer Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Services on the Kenai Peninsula.

Water Well Drilling and Pilings

Call 907-262-3970 to schedule an appointment with us today.

Well Drilling Contractor NGWA and AWWA Member

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