Anchorage Press 2/5/2015

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contents.

540 East 5th Avenue Anchorage AK 99501 (907) 561-7737 Fax: (907) 561-7777

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www.anchoragepress.com

OPINION

Tribal recognition fosters community well-being

24

MAZE OF EMOTIONS

Flowers For Algernon review

BY VERONICA SLAJER

Publisher Nick Coltman publisher@anchoragepress.com

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Editor Susy Buchanan editor@anchoragepress.com Contributing Editor David Holthouse

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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Business Manager Maggie Balean maggie.balean@anchoragepress.com Editorial Intern Zakiya McCummings Contributors Ivan Moore, Zack Fields, Tom Tomorrow, Rob Brezsny, Chuck Shepherd, Kirsten Swann, Lily Weed, James ‘Dr. Fermento’ Roberts, Mike Gordon, Jeri Kopet, Bob Grimm, Indra Arriaga, G. Wes Hartlieb III, Dan Savage, Reid Corzatt, Leif Ramos, Owen Tucker, Nithya Thiru, Aurora Ford, Debra McKinney, David Fox, Elissa Brown, Geoff Kirsch, Audri Pleas, Katie Pesznecker and Peter Dunlap-Shohl, Mary Lockner, Brendan Joel Kelley Advertising Account Executives Bridget Mackey | bridget.mackey@anchoragepress.com Karen Edes | karenatthepress@gmail.com Advertising Account Assistant Zach Menzel | zach.menzel@anchoragepress.com The Anchorage Press is an Anchorage-wide news, features, arts, entertainment, and recreation paper. Established in 1992, the Press is printed weekly on Thursdays and distributed at over 500 locations.

Copyright: the Anchorage Press is published by Wick Communications Co. With the exception of syndicated features and cartoons, the contents of the Anchorage Press are copyright 2015 by Anchorage Press. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means including electronic retrieval systems without the express written permission of the publisher.

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EVENTS CALENDAR

OPINION

27

FIRST FRIDAY ART LISTINGS

R.I.P. for Alaska’s movie business?

PASSING IT ON

Local “Pay it Forward” effort gaining popularity

SHIBARI: KNOTTY FUN

Local author debuts new bondage book

BY SUSY BUCHANAN

13

HEAVY WEATHER

29

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

The Kill Team and American war crimes

BY INDRA ARRIAGA

3O 34

VISION AND VOICE

Celebrating Alaska’s Young Emerging Artists

LIGHTHOUSE SECRETS

Rachel Weaver’s Point of Direction

BY DAVID FOX

Braving the North Pacific High

35

NEWS OF THE WEIRD

CERTIFIED

35

I SAW YOU!

BY ZACK FIELDS

15

BY ZAKIYA MCCUMMINGS

26

BY KIRSTEN SWANN

10

WORLDLY MUSIC

Musician Rupa Mayra on musical healing

BY DAVID HOLTHOUSE

BY RON HOLMSTROM

9

25

BLOTTER

Discreet Deliverance

Calendar Editor Dave Diaz dave.diaz@anchoragepress.com Graphic Artist Stefanie Vigoren stefanie.vigoren@anchoragepress.com

BY LEE HARRINGTON

Fermento on the Beer Judge Certification Program

BY JAMES “DR. FERMENTO” ROBERTS

BY CHUCK SHEPHERD

36

ASTROLOGY

Break out the cognac, Cancer

BY ROB BREZSNY

16

BEYOND MAC & CHEESE

La Grassa’s artisan pasta

37

SAVAGE LOVE

What would you do?

BY ELISSA BROWN

19

SCANTILY PLAID

Dining at the Tilted Kilt

BY DAN SAVAGE

38

BY PRISCILLA HENSLEY

23

PRESSING EVENTS

39

PRESS PIX

Hot dogs and ski bunnies from Leif Ramos

CROSSWORD, SUDOKU AND COMICS

Jabali African Acrobats!

ALASKAN SUDOKU!

FRONT COVER BY JOSH GENUINO

VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER Savor a romantic meal in MUSE 5 to 9 p.m.

Feb. 12-14

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PERCEPTIONS ASHLEY LOHR SOLO EXHIBITION Now on view Alaska artist balances imagery, texture and light in her paintings Part of the Patricia B. Wolf Solo Exhibition Series, with support from the Alaska State Council on the Arts; the National Endowment of the Arts, a federal agency; the Municipality of Anchorage; and the Anchorage Museum Foundation’s Alaska Airlines Silver Anniversary Fund.

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Rachel Barton Pine performs the complete Paganini Caprices

For violinists it is the equivalent of a death-defying leap.

- John Jurgensen, WSJ

Sunday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Go wherever your heart takes you.

Discovery Theater

Alaska Center for the Performing Arts

Value the Travel Moments

Tickets at Centertix

www.sitkamusicfestival.org

Winter Classics

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Alaska’s Premier Chamber Music Presenter

Everyone has a bucket list of things they want to experience in life. With some help from CU1, we’ll show you how to afford your plans! Let your credit union lend a hand, and take a moment to dream what’s next. Learn more at cu1.org.

February 5 - February 11, 2015

Rural Alaskans may be especially hard hit as the loss of vital revenue sharing funding will exacerbate the already high cost of rural living.

HE RURAL GOVERNANCE COMMIS- Without an energy plan and advanced infraSION (RGC) applauds the Walker-Mallott structure, rural communities continue to face Transition Team, particularly the Intergov- extraordinarily high energy costs. ernmental Relations Transition Team, for craftBut rural Alaska also has a strong tradition ing a policy blueprint aimed at improving the of people working together, a cultural value quality and reach of rural governance. that Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Native people employed as a matThe transition team listed formal tribal recog- ter of survival and a point of pride. For all of nition as its top priority, an imperative articu- the right reasons, the time has arrived for the lated in two critiState of Alaska cal reports about to recognize and For all of the right reasons, rural governance: partner with tribes the 1999 Report and tribal governthe time has arrived for the to the Governor ments and call on State of Alaska to recognize by the Rural Govthe knowledge and and partner with tribes and ernance and Empractices that have powerment Comsustained Alastribal governments and call on mission, and the kans for thousands the knowledge and practices 2013 reconvened of years.

RGC report. (The While the Walkthat have sustained Alaskans transition team er-Mallott adfor thousands of years. and RGC reports, ministration has as well as addimoved forward on tional information, are available at www.rural- the issue of rural governance faster than any gov.org.) administration in the past 15 years, much reSpecial thanks go to Elizabeth Medicine mains to be done. As a co-chair of the 1998-99 Crow, chair of the intergovernmental team, and RGC and as an organizer of the 2013 reconventhe First Alaskans Institute, which facilitated ing, Lt. Gov. Mallott has been a leader on rural the 2013 reconvening that brought together over governance and will be a vital participant in the 50 Alaskans from across the state to address the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to tackle the aforementioned â&#x20AC;&#x153;ununfinished business of rural governance. finished businessâ&#x20AC;? of rural governance.

Gov. Walkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent state of the budget adThe self-identified RGC will continue to dress underscored the urgent need to bring all monitor the issues relating to state-tribal recogavailable resources to the table. We know that nition. While working with an administration working with tribes fosters community wellbe- that has an open mind and is rural-positive is ing in Alaska, and that tribal recognition can encouraging, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need the advocacy and parhelp the state get through its difficult fiscal situ- ticipation of Alaskans from all walks of life to ation. Tribal recognition brings the possibility make sure long-lasting changes take effect. We of increased federal funding, along with savings ask you to join us! n and efficiencies that result from state-tribal inVeronica Slajer, President of the North Star tergovernmental cooperation.

Group, staffed the 1999 Rural Governance and While Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immediate fiscal future looks Empowerment Commission, andâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;along with difficult and demoralizing, it also presents us the First Alaskans Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;cohosted and orgawith tremendous opportunities to call upon our nized the 2013 RGC reconvening. For more inforvalues of self-reliance and self-determination. mation, see ruralgov.org.

OPINION BY VERONICA SLAJER

T

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on Susy Buchananâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cover stor y I am writ ing in response to lished pub was that So a friend of mine was musing with us, a couple sâ&#x20AC;?) ium Med ppy the Whole Life Fest ival (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ha of weeks ago, the comparison of Charlene Egbe you could have sent ary 22 edit ion of the Press. I wish Janu the in r: Conside Palin. y erroneous stateand Sarah man are e ther as ng, lishi it to me before pub ns. ments and misconceptio is t FBDI B ZPVUIGVM BUUSBDUJWF XPNBO XIP IBE B the term MEDIUMS. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The first concerns the use of iDiv 2: ter chap , short-lived career in broadcasting Path k, Along the the defi nition from my boo $& .&%*6.4 t FBDI DMPTFMZ BUUFOEFE CZ EZTGVODUJPOBM CVU 3"/ 34 5 &-& "// 4 $) OBUJPO .&%*6. who fiercely loyal family that gangs up aggressively called, a med ium is a person â&#x20AC;&#x153;Regardless of what they are lly usua ces sour against anyone who dares criticize her from tion rma info has been trained to receive be may e Thes .â&#x20AC;&#x2122; side t FBDI XJUI B TUSPOH QFSTFDVUJPO NBSUZSEPN er the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;oth not in the body, and often from Angels. Most chancomplex (shared by family) and des, Gui ter Mas des, relat ives, Spirit Gui altered t FBDI B RVJUUFS , and often work in trance or nelers are also very intu itive other as ge chan t FBDI XJEFMZ EFSJEFE EJTMJLFE CZ NPTU "MBTLBOT may s face and es states. Sometimes their voic in ful help y ciall including many who initially were her fans, while espe is A Med ium entities are communicati ng. as Med ium John having an intensely devoted following from cluesuch ; side r othe the from ones contacti ng loved less people Outside ium.â&#x20AC;?

Edwards and the TV show, Med TV showâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;she t FBDI XJUI B GBO CBTF XIJDI GBWPST UIF XPSE in the Long Island Medium uto Cap esa Ther ole Life Fest iWh â&#x20AC;&#x153;haterâ&#x20AC;? when speaking of critics the at rs exhibito is a Med ium. Very few of the t FBDI IBCJUVBMMZ QPMJDFT IFS '# QBHF T UP SFNPWF t back corner was the righ far the in e tabl The s. vals are Med ium ibly critical comments who teach Med iumship. Poss ORDER OF DIV INE LIGHT, one. I elf hers call t FBDI FOUJSFMZ TFMG TFSWJOH WJOEJDUJWF not does she gh Karitzmeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a Med ium thou

t FBDI XJUI "10$ QSPCMFNT 0-0(*45 OPU B NFEJV N JO BOZ ". "/ "4530-(&3 /6.&3 le I am tuni ng in to whi â&#x20AC;&#x2122; hins Dolp the with m form. I use the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Swi hanan . It was obv ious that Ms. Buc you r birt hday and numbers dolthe with xing rela on sing focu was critiquing me instead of w. rvie inte ia med a ged her for phins. I wou ld not have char Jasmine Pine many TV stations and the last 15 years, I have had ugh Thro rview, observe and Anchorage inte to T UES REQ newspapers come and knowledge no one my To . vals even take pictures at the festi come and paid has ia member of the med me at the end for sessions, and then told attenda nce. for ose purp r thei day the of first and I me wed rvie inte ons Those pers ose of the purp the The reason President Obama is locking up ANWR from oil development is because the State them was able to give wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get anything from this development. The State is giving all of the money it would make from oil going through the pipeline, this year and next year, to the oil companies plus an additional $500 million of cash from the Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s savings account. The Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motto is, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ask not what the oil companies can do for you, but what you can do for the oil companies.â&#x20AC;? The State is following this motto to the letter. If ANWR was developed, the State would give all of the money it would get from the oil to the oil companies plus additional hundreds of millions of dollars from its savings. So what the hay? The state is only going to give everything back to the oil companies anyway, plus give away additional free millions of dollars. So why develop it? Why not lock it up?

Festival and explain the different types of exhibitors. Your paper EJEO U FWFO NFOUJPO UIF QSPGFTTJPOBM IFBMFST CPEZXPSLFST BOE vendors of healthy products. I am happy you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t publish the picture taken of me in the lecture room sitting in my walker.

Furthermore, the article began with a description of â&#x20AC;&#x153;incense.â&#x20AC;? In the Festival contract each exhibitor is required not to use incense or even candles, except votive candles if desired. If incense was in the room, I was not aware of it. The little â&#x20AC;&#x153;Head Girlâ&#x20AC;? pin on my scarf the article referred to was given me by one of the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff member who insisted I wear it that day. Bragging on me is something I never do. The hotel loves us because of the positive loving energy we bring to their hotel, now for about 10 years.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure Dawn Kelly is very happy with the excellent description of her work. She is a recent well-trained exhibitor and very popular; but there were many other excellent readers that you missed. Polly was a first time reader. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sorry you got a wrong reading from her, but she did not charge you for it. In her original interview, she gave me an excellent reading.

You are no doubt proud of your article. I cannot say I am happy. We are a spiritual event. We have a prayer circle before we start each day. No witchcraft is allowed. I would have told you this if you had come to me as a reporter. God will continue to help us as we fulfill our purpose as stated on page six of the program: WHOLE LIFE FESTIVAL MISSION STATEMENT: To bring together folk who are seeking fellowship, love, spiritual enlightenment, healing, joy, guidance and enhanced energy. We believe that seekers will find opportunities to develop these attributes through the God-given â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;giftsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of the dedicated professional exhibitors.

Dr. Glenn Key Anchorage ,FMMFS 5FYBT

We love letters

John Suter Chugiak

February 5 - February 11, 2015

5

blotter.

COMPILED BY DAVID HOLTHOUSE

DELIVERANCE ERE AT ANCHORAGE PRESS World Headquarters, UIF PWFS VOEFS GPS %JTDSFFU %FMJWFSJFT HFUUJOH CVTUFE XBT February 1. The under bettors cashed in the night of January 28 when agents within the Anchorage Police Department decided, in the midst of a wave of shootings, to conduct a sting operation on a 35-year-old employee of the Wasilla-based cannabis delivery service owned by Rocky Burns, which had been up and running since mid-November.

According to Burns, his driver was busted upon handing over an ounce of buds to an APD detective posing as a customer, who’d arranged for delivery in the parking lot of the Carrs grocery store near the intersection of Northern Lights and Muldoon.

Exchanging pot for cash in a parking lot at night is not a good look, PR-wise, for a cannabis delivery service posturing as legitimate, albeit “technically illegal,” as Burns put it.

But seriously, APD? Not only did you fuck me on my over bet, and leave me without a reliable, professional, and reasonably priced source for my beloved Elsa, but as a tax-paying, arguably productive citizen, I have to question the resource allocation priorities.

Consider the following: the very next morning after the Discreet Deliveries sting, Anchorage Police Chief Mark Mew held a press conference to assure an uneasy public that the APD is creating a special task force to address the recent string of shootings in Anchorage, which included four homicides in a week.

“It’s sad that local police seem to be taking extra lengths to make the last weeks of marijuana prohibition in Alaska the most painful, when men and women are being shot to death in the street every other day,” Burns said. “It’s a disservice to the families of those lives lost in Anchorage that APD would waste resources on me.”

Burns also pointed out that less than 48 hours after his driv-

H

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DAMN SKIPPY If you’re driving recklessly in Fairbanks, and the cops try to pull you over, it’s a not a good idea to try to elude them. But if you try to elude them anyway, it’s a not a good idea to crash. And if you crash, it’s definitely not a good idea to run from the scene, break into a house and hide in a bedroom, because if you do that the cops are going to send in Skippy, a K9 who absolutely loves to search houses for those who drive recklessly, try to elude law enforcement, then crash, run, and hide.

Skippy got his wish just after midnight on January 31.

The 32-year old Fairbanks driver magically transformed a misdemeanor traffic citation into felony charges of elude and evade and criminal mischief. n

er was busted, another Wasilla-based cannabis delivery operation starting advertising on Craigslist, with this disclaimer: “This is a donation service. Let’s say you donate $300; I’ll give you an oz. for helping the cause.”

Helping the cause. Right.

How long will the cops keep playing whack-a-dealer? We’ll just have to wait and see. In addition to the new Wasilla delivery start-up, a certain local glass company has been distributing a certain phone number for a certain line of products at certain public gatherings.

Dudes, trust me: if I know about you, the cops know about you. The late-prohibition APD policy on cannabis may be stupid, but APD inves- t i gators are not. And the current semi-underground cannabis industry in Anchorage has more rats than a plague ship.

My advice? Power down.

Because this time, I’m putting my money on the under.

JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE PARANOID… Funny how when you’re tripping balls and paranoid, hallucinations become self-fulfilling prophecies.

G t our ERO at t Tr Stor !

i

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Case in point: At 2:35 a.m. on January 31, a Wasilla homeowner arrived home to find a male intruder “hiding inside their house, apparently suffering drug hallucinations, stating people were out to get him.”

The resident called the Troopers. Bad trip guy fled the house.

At which point, there were people out to get him.

Troopers tracked his footprints in the snow and arrested him nearby on a trespassing charge.

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Pie By Fire LLC is making application for a new restaurant/ eating place AS 04.11.100 d/b/a Hearth Artisan Pizza located at 1300 W. Northern Lights Blvd Suite G, Anchorage, Ak 99503.

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Interested persons should submit written comment to their local governing body, the applicant, and to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board at 2400 Viking Drive, Anchorage, Ak 99501.

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START SMALL. DREAM BIG. We can all help the littlest Alaskans grow up to achieve their biggest dreams. For Paul, it was his parents’ lessons in hard work that helped him get back on a sled after he lost the use of his legs in an accident.

For small steps you can take to make a big difference, visit alaskachildrenstrust.org.

Paul Thacker Pro snowmachiner

WORKING TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN ALASKA. • AlaskaChildrensTrust.org

6

February 5 - February 11, 2015

OPINION BY RON HOLSTROM

A

laska’s film incentive program was beginning to bring hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars to our state. Local businesses and entrepreneurs were starting to build the critical infrastructure necessary for this budding industry. Many local people were being hired for well-paid film jobs.

Nearly all of this development came to a sudden halt after then Representative, now Senator, Bill Stoltze, began a campaign to discourage big budget productions from being filmed in Alaska.

Three-and-a-half years ago, the program was altered to diminish the incentive to actors, directors, writers and producers, which normally accounts for about one-half of a motion picture’s budget. We must notice that there hasn’t been a big budget motion picture filmed here since that time. Consequently, all development by local business people ended.

Stoltze was very clear that his objection to building this new economic opportunity was based solely upon perceived political differences with an industry, which he sees as being too far to the left. He stated in a 2013 Anchorage Daily News article, “I know there’s a lot of people, especially on the left-wing blogs and in the left-wing media that are really enamored with the fact that Hollywood shows up here and they get to testify on a lot of stuff.”

Now, here we are, being greeted on Monday of last week with the news that our Alaska Film Office is now discouraging productions from even filing for our already crippled film program.

BACK PAIN

WHIP LASH

A $6 million feature film being developed here by Alaskan Mary Katzke was withdrawn when the Los Angeles producer received the bad news from our film office. That production will now film in Canada and Mary is unemployed.

Richard Gray, producer/director of the indie film, Sugar Mountain, which was shot entirely in Seward, was gearing up to bring a western feature to be filmed here. Gray said to me in an email, “Our feature film, Sugar Mountain, which spent over $1 million in state, (Alaska,) wouldn’t exist without it [the incentive

A $6 million feature film being developed here by Alaskan Mary Katzke was withdrawn when the Los Angeles producer received the bad news from our film office. program]. I had never been to Alaska before we researched the tax credit. I have been back three times since. I adore it and was planning to bring more films as soon as later this year, a Western that would otherwise be filmed in the south.”

Also, Alaska’s best-known film actress/producer Irene Bedard

has been in development for several film projects to be shot in her home state. On Monday I received a note from her and producing partner, Thom Denomme. They stated: “We were very disappointed to hear of the current state of Alaska’s tax incentive program … Having just returned from the Sundance Film Festival, we were very excited about returning to Alaska. Not only were we set to announce a feature we wanted to shoot there (an Alaskan classic), but we had just closed a deal for another feature we would co-produce in Alaska.”

These projects alone represent millions of dollars to our economy. It should be apparent to the most casual observer that by discouraging this multi-million dollar industry, we are denying a much-needed opportunity to create hundreds of jobs and new Alaska film businesses when we need them more than ever.

We simply must try to create new avenues of revenue for our state and it is absolutely incomprehensible that our leaders in Juneau might act so irresponsibly. The most logical path to pursue would be to return the incentive program to its former attractiveness and bring the big movies back. It is simple arithmetic.

Meanwhile, the latest word is that the film Hunter Killer will be proceeding with plans to film in Whittier this spring. For information on this, go to the Sprocketheads Facebook page. The status of all other productions remains unknown.

Here’s hoping for some good news. n Ron Holmstrom is an Alaskan actor and writer and the first ever Alaska representative to SAG-AFTRA, the nation’s largest performers union. The views expressed here are his alone.

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February 5 - February 11, 2015

BY KIRSTEN SWANN / MTVIEWPOST.COM

T

HE WALL OF THE â&#x20AC;&#x153;PASS IT ON ALASKA! Pay It Forward!â&#x20AC;? Facebook page looks like the message board at a wellused community center or neighborhood exchange, covered in offerings of hand-me-down goods and requests for food, baby supplies, and other necessities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoes. Not the prettiest but gets the job done. Located in Mt. View,â&#x20AC;? one post reads.

Another group member offers up two grocery bags of baby food. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would like to pay it forward,â&#x20AC;? she writes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I took some, but would like to share because my baby is doing stage 1 and wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to eat all the stage 2 for a little bit and they were paid forward to me.â&#x20AC;?

Scroll through the posts and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find boxes of vegetables and bags of canned foods; a tattered but still-good coupon book; secondhand clothes; tires and furniture and bottles of shampoo.

You can pick them up in Midtown, South Anchorage, Muldoon, Chugiak â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all over Anchorage. There are people with things they no longer use and people in need, and they meet in the middle on Facebook.

The online group, founded last summer by born-and-raised Alaskan Karen Garcia, is based on a simple idea. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think that no matter who you are, if you can help someone else you really should,â&#x20AC;? she said, standing in the parking lot of the Debarr Road Walmart on a clear and cold Saturday afternoon in late January.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a new concept, but Garcia said she was inspired to take it a step further by the reach of the World Wide Web. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I look at how many people are friends on my personal [Facebook] page, and then Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You know what? If I created an actual page, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s see how many people would help.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

At first, she thought about how cool it would be if the group reached 100 members. It quickly swelled to 2,600. And counting. The group focuses on homeless Alaskans, but helps anyone in need.

In August, a month after Garcia launched the group, a state backlog led to long delays for many Alaskans who rely on food stamps. Garcia noticed a surge in requests for food on her payit-forward page and organized the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first food drive, which

then turned into a food and clothing drive. The event drew dozens of people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was huge,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Now, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a weekly thing.

Garcia, who works in the oil and gas industry, collects donations throughout the week and spends the weekends distributing them to anyone in need.

Scroll through the posts and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find boxes of vegetables and bags of canned foods; a tattered but still-good coupon book; secondhand clothes; tires and furniture and bottles of shampoo.

One recent Friday, she picked up big cardboard boxes of arugula and squash and other organic vegetables donated by a local grocer. The next day, she packed them into her Jeep and drove them over to the eastside parking lot to give away. That Sunday, she spent the evening volunteering at Brother Francis Shelter alongside a half-dozen other members of the pay-it-forward Facebook group.

And the momentum keeps building.

Donations pour in from all corners of Anchorage. Two different Starbucks locations provided containers of hot water for one of the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drives. A Value Village donated 26 boxes of warm clothes. A local Girl Scout troop gave more than 100 sack lunches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Word is just kind of getting around â&#x20AC;&#x201C; people know people,â&#x20AC;?

Garcia said.

Tammy Repasky joined Garciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facebook group last August,

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soon after her family arrived in Alaska. She said theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been involved in a similar group in New York state, when the family was stationed at Fort Drum, and she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to leave it behind when they moved across the country.

In Anchorage, she sought out ways to volunteer and was impressed by how involved Garciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group seemed to be. Everybody was coming together, she said, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exactly what she was looking for. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just wanted to give back to the community; just do our part,â&#x20AC;? Repasky said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a passion that I have. I just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to see someone go hungry.â&#x20AC;?

For her, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal.

About 21 years ago, Repasky said, she found herself pregnant in a new state, struggling alongside her husband to get their young family back on its feet. They went through some hard times, and things only got worse before they got better. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been there, and done that and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ever want to be there again,â&#x20AC;? Repasky said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I see someone like that, it breaks my heart.â&#x20AC;?

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pass It On Alaska! Pay It Forward!â&#x20AC;? comes in.

On a recent Saturday, Garcia and Repasky and a few other volunteers stood in the parking lot of the Debarr Road Walmart, waving down passing drivers with donated bunches of arugula and promises of free food.

One by one, people stopped by to take some. One woman pulled over to gather squash and other produce into a plastic bag.

Another stepped off the bus at a nearby stop and filled a bag with greens before continuing on her way. One man left his car running in the parking lot, driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side door open, while he hopped out to gather some of the free produce sitting in boxes on the ground. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have so much food and we just need to get rid of it,â&#x20AC;? Garcia told him. He smiled.

Most of the people who passed Garciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group Saturday kept driving. Some waved. A lot of times, she said, people look at them like theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re insane. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re crazy, because they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see people do this a lot,â&#x20AC;? Garcia said.

She looks at it a little differently. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a way to make the community stronger; give a hand up to those in need. And, powered

by Facebook, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s catching on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a gift,â&#x20AC;? she said. n

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framed photograph of Andy War- Harrington is something of an interhol hangs in Lee Harrington’s national rope bondage superstar. He’s home, emblazoned with the mes- made it his profession, and taught classsage, “Everybody must have a fan- es on rope bondage, power exchange and sacred kink—which tasy.” In Harrington’s case, that he describes as “bringing intentionality and a spiritual experifantasy turned out to be bond- ence into the sexual path”—to BDSM communities in 40 states age. Looking back, the author and and six countries. He also teaches at universities—including the lecturer sees early clues to his interest in rope bondage, seemingly in- University of Minnesota, Reed, and Sarah Lawrence Colleges—on significant character traits that were seedlings of his eventual sexual human psychology, open relationships, and understanding body evolution. modifications. Harrington spends about three months out of the As a young child, he liked to hide and hear secrets, similar to the main year traveling and teaching; in mid-February he’s due to hit the character in the book Harriet the Spy. Physically he enjoyed wrapping road again for seminars in Washington D.C., London and New himself up tightly in blankets, feeling like he was in a cocoon, safe.

York City.

As a teen, he and his first sexual partner experimented with games Harrington’s become an expert on Shibari, a Western version like “boss and secretary,” or “cop and criminal.” of a Japanese style of erotic rope tying. His new book, More Shi“I liked being wrapped up in handcuffs, and we did some rope bond- bari You Can Use: Passionate Rope Bondage and Intimate Conage. My partner was the kind of person who was not necessarily good at nection is illustrated with photos of individuals and couples of tying their own shoes, so our bondage was pretty basic,” recalls Har- varying body shapes, ages and ethnicities demonstrating Shirington. “But we were connecting with each other, and that mattered bari techniques. The tome is more informative than erotic, more than pretty knot work.” kind of “An Idiot’s Guide to Bondage” written with careful When he joined the public BDSM and kinky sex community and easy to follow instructions on how to attain the variin Seattle in 1996, he first saw real rope work on display, and ous knots and riggings of the technique first brought to it drew him in instantly. “I went to my first S&M club and the U.S. in the 1990s. there was a scenario downstairs where a gentleman was dan“Does crafting gags, crotch ropes, and speed gling a woman in midair with ropes. It was so beautiful bondage get you going? Are you excited about and sensual. Even when she was uncomfortable he was incorporating power exchange with your bondstroking her face. I thought, ‘Wow, that’s beautiful age? Delighted that the exercises in the book and erotic, two people who care about each oth- will help you work on connecting with er,’” says Harrington. The intensity and power your partner, not just your rope? Fanexchange that had entranced him for tastic—you’re in the right place,” years came together—Harrington Harrington writes in the was roped in. book’s introduction.

Nineteen years later

10

e lives in a decidedly suburban home off Dimond, a dubbed as “The world’s premier international pansexual annual rope tion of 50 Shades of Grey coming out on Valentine’s Day. Harrington’s chainsaw carved bear welcoming visitors on the door- bondage educational conference” was organized in Chicago, where it worried that Hollywood’s version of bondage on the big screen will do step, a pink and red heart hung on the front door, and continues to be held annually each May. “It was my honor to be there the more harm than good to his community. “50 Shades is a tantalizing, throughout the house cheery art, bright colors and af- first year as a presenter,” says Harrington, who has continued to teach at poorly written, hot bodice ripper that happens to have some taboo elefirming messages. Harrington, (who is also a the- Shibaricon, watching it grow from 100 or so attendees that first year to ments. If it gives people permission to explore topics like my book that’s ater critic for the Press) answers the door in a now over 1,000. “There were people from all over North America, saying wonderful,” he says. “The book and fi lm paints BDSM in a bad light t-shirt printed with the words “Sex Geek.” ‘let’s share, let’s collaborate let’s watch each other do hot things.’ It was through pedophilia and abusive relationships. The movie trailer rope On his kitchen table are copies of his previous about sex for some, for others it was about the art,” Harrington says. “The bondage is tied in such a way that she is going to hurt herself.” book: Shibari You Can Use: Japanese Rope Bond- result was that it created an international rope bondage community, and His main criticism of the fi lm is the lack of active consent before iniage and Erotic Macramé—which has sold 13,000 cop- there was a cross-pollination of ideas.” tiating sexual contact, which is key to any encounter, whether kink or ies—and his new title.

Shibaricon spawned rope bondage events all over the world—many of mundane Harrington’s attraction to ropes is a story he em- which Harrington has attended—in places like Russia, Brussels, the Phil“No matter what you are into, you have the right to say yes or say no. phasizes is unique to his own sexual and sensual ippines, Canada, and Mexico. His teachings also took him to the Deep People are so hungry for whatever it is; love, acceptance specific sexual development, as is everyone’s journey toward what South last year, visiting Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and behavior. Consent means authenticity, joy and bliss. For some people turns them on in the bedroom.

Tennessee on a tour he says went surprisingly well. “I met with sexual that means getting a piece of rope and having some “You might not have liked salmon as a kid, but now you explorers who were devout Christians on Sundays, but not opposed to hanky panky on a Friday night,” love it. Our sex and sensual tastes can be the same in a way,” he says. getting into dirty stuff on Saturdays. ‘God never said we couldn’t have H a r r i n g t o n s a y s .

“What we were into as a kid may not be the same now. Some people have fun,’ they told me.”

“Whatever turns always and will always love peaches. It’s the same way with sex.”

He saw parallels between the bondage communities in the South and you on.”

Once Harrington discovered Shibari, he and a few others with simi- back home in Anchorage. In both places, “people know each other’s busilar rope interests—including acclaimed fe- ness and keep their private lives very close to chest. In Anchorage, people tish photographer and bondage artist, James who do come together don’t know each other beyond their scene names.”

Mogul—began to meet to learn more about Harrington estimates the rope/bondage community in Anchorage to a technique that at the time was virtually number between 75 and 100, although there is overlap with the larger unknown in Western society. Harrington BDSM community, where practices include much more than ropes. describes his early study group as a bunch of But Harrington is hoping that interest in his book comes from beyond bondage nerds, desperate for Shibari knowl- the already established bondage community. “My goal with this book edge. They lived for the magazines coming out is to have it accessible to people ages 18 and over who want to have a of Japan. “We reverse-engineered. Looking at pho- little bit of fun, add some spice to their sex life, and feel like they can do tos we were able to determine which rope was on something that’s creative, interesting and make it whatever they want it top, meaning that was the one that went on last. We to be. They can be drawn to it because it’s pretty, for the hot sex, because would experiment and watch each other and collabo- it is physically challenging, or because they like having a partner focus rate, it was very community oriented. This was 2003 on them.” and that’s what it was nationally. Ideas and collaboraBDSM is moving to the forefront of public discustions, based around slow, dial-up internet photos, and sion with the premiere of the fi lm adaptalater a handful who had actually studied Shibari.”

But the scene was growing. In 2004 Shibaricon, now

Lee Harrington will perform

rope demos and sign both of his Shibari books at Mad Myrna’s First Friday event on Feb. 6: “Rope Bondage and Knotty Fun: An Evening of Pervy Delight,” from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information about ordering More Shibari You Can Use: Passionate Rope Bondage and Intimate Connection, or other books by Lee Harrington, visit mysticproductionspress.com

February 5 - February 11, 2014

February 5 - February 11, 2014

11

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February 5 - February 11, 2015

Making the longest stretch of open water sailing on Earth.

PHOTO BY JAKE SCHELL

HEADLAMP BY ZACK FIELDS

A

NOTHER WAVE CRASHED over the deck and Jake heard the radio crackle from inside the cabin. Zach opened the companionway to relay the message over the wind.

“They called Mayday!” Another sailing vessel had been hit by a rogue wave.

My neighbor, Anchorage architect Jake Schell, was crossing the Pacific Ocean from Hawaii to Seattle last fall with his buddy, Zach Streitz, when they sailed into a fierce storm, more than 1,000 miles from shore.

Jake described the storm: Hove to, with the storm sail back-winded and trailing warps off the stern, our boat bobbed like a cork in swells that reached 50’ in height. The 32-foot sailboat rose and fell from crest to trough, swells towering high over the top of the mast, replacing the horizon with a wall of water. Gale force winds gusting to 45 knots swung the boat violently.

They had been sailing at a similar pace with the other boat for a while. Jake: Before this low pressure storm system we were made aware of another sailing vessel making the same October crossing from Hawaii to Seattle through a ham radio network that monitors the position of sailboats around the Pacific. We were roughly 100 miles ahead of the other boat, and daily coordinate updates indicated we were making roughly the same progress as the two boats sailed into the same weather. At this time the two vessels were 1,600 miles north by northwest from Hawaii, and roughly 1,000 miles off the West Coast of the Oregon/California border.

Only 100 miles distant from one other, we had attempted to share weather information but a poor radio reception prevented any real exchange of information.

Crossing the Pacific is the longest single stretch of blue water, open ocean sailing on Earth. While it is popular to cross on the trade winds from the mainland to Hawaii, the return trip requires sailing north, into prevailing winds. At the end of the summer the North Pacific High and the same storms that lash Alaska’s Bering Sea move south, creating massive low-pressure weather systems with huge swells and sustained winds.

To place a Mayday call is a last resort; the crew believing the boat or situation is beyond salvation. Listening to the Mayday call on the radio last fall, Jack and Zach knew the boat’s location

February 5 - February 11, 2015

eliminated the option of a helicopter rescue. The radio network relayed that the Coast Guard had responded to the distress signal by flying a C-130 over the boat’s coordinates and dropping rescue supplies. Alerted by the Coast Guard, a 965-foot cargo ship heading to Panama rescued the crew the following morning in 20-foot seas.

When a Mayday call is made it is protocol that the rescued sailors scuttle their boat. Leaving an unpiloted boat adrift in the ocean is too much of a hazard to other crafts and sailors.

Humans, used to walking maybe 10 miles in a day, can’t viscerally appreciate what it means to be 100 times farther than that from land. There is almost nowhere on the planet where you could walk for 100 days without seeing anything, but 1,000 miles from land is not unusual in the Pacific.

The Pacific Ocean’s scale is difficult to comprehend. Humans, used to walking maybe 10 miles in a day, can’t viscerally appreciate what it means to be 100 times farther than that from land.

There is almost nowhere on the planet where you could walk for a 100 days without seeing anything, but 1,000 miles from land is not unusual in the Pacific.

Jake described the successful crossing from Honolulu to Seattle of four weeks and 2,600 miles: One of the two of us was always on watch, typically switching off in four-hour shifts at night. During the day we would both spend time on deck and below in the cabin keeping busy with small chores. Even with the stove on a gimble to keep it level, cooking is difficult and pans are held in place using bracket/ clamps. At times the boat is heeled over to a degree that water is above the rail and the boat is pitching at the same time. Moving

around the boat and cabin requires maintaining a hold on something fixed all of the time to not lose your balance. To keep you from falling out of your berth while you sleep you use a lee cloth, which is basically a heavy canvas sheet that is tied between the base of your bunk and the ceiling of the cabin. You think of sailing as being quiet but in heavy weather it’s noisy and violent, the wind is whipping lines on the deck and the mast and breaking waves will slam the hull of the boat.

Most of the sailboats making the Pacific Ocean crossing will be at sea anywhere from two weeks to a month. Zach, the captain, previously sailed the same boat by himself from the tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula to Hilo on the big island of Hawaii, and had made the northern crossing from Hawaii to San Francisco once before in a calmer season on a larger vessel with a larger crew.

Boats that make the crossing are built and equipped for heavy weather and sailors typically have heavy weather experience in offshore conditions. Heavy weather beats a boat constantly and even if the boat is built and equipped to take this beating, everything on the boat from sails or rigging to electronics might break.

A successful crossing may depend on your ability to repair and problem solve with the materials, tools and equipment that you have on board.

As Jake put it: Like home repairs, really, except if your home isn’t in good shape it’ll sink and you’ll hope you’re within range of Coast Guard rescue or there’s a friendly freighter bound for Panama somewhere in your neighborhood. At the end of it I was exhausted. The sleep you get isn’t restful sleep; your body is pretty stressed and you’re physically uncomfortable most of the time. When awake all the little stabilizing muscles in your legs and body are working hard responding to the constant motion.

There are different kinds of endurance. Running 100 yards fast, running three miles fast, skiing the whole day without stopping.

When you’re in the backcountry, when the lights from town aren’t visible and there are no ski tracks, bike trails, power lines, or even the small depression of a summer road or trail, then you’re alone with creation. In the winter in Alaska, you think about how long you can be out in the elements without getting so cold your hands can’t start a fire or build a snow cave. In the open water of the Pacific, you think about how many days you are from shore, whether the next weather system will chew you up, how long a boat takes to sink, how long you might survive in the water, as dark skies hardly reflect dark water in autumn. n

13

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February 5 - February 11, 2015

BY JAMES â&#x20AC;&#x153;DR. FERMENTOâ&#x20AC;? ROBERTS

P

EOPLE ASK ME ALL THE TIME how I ended up where I ended up with beer. They want to know what convoluted path I took to having a pulpit to extol the virtues of craft beer, not only here in Alaska, but anywhere good beer is made.

It began in high school. I was a nerd. No shit. I was a loner. To ward all this stuff off, I came up with my own devices for entertainment. I wandered around San Francisco a lot with a camera around my neck, which inadvertently exposed me to good beer, when I discovered Anchor Steam Beer at the Old Spaghetti Factory on Green Street.

I also had an obsession with writing. I used to haul around the big, thick college-ruled spiral bound notebooks, and if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what those are, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re excused; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m getting pretty old these days.

I would use the Bic Stic ballpoint pens (blue or black), and if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what those are, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re excused; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m getting pretty old these days.

Around 1972, I met the Anchor Steam brewer, Fritz Maytag, and he invited me to tour the brewery. I was smitten with the stuff. Maytag told me there wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t much going on in craft beer at the time (I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even think â&#x20AC;&#x153;craft beerâ&#x20AC;? was a term back then), but if I wanted to tinker with my palate, I should check out the foreign stuff.

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By going through the certification program, I learned to put a name to most of what I taste in beer.

Now instead of saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ick! This beer tastes likes shit,â&#x20AC;?

I say â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are you getting some acetaldehyde in there?â&#x20AC;? me into a drinker with a writing problem.

But there were a few other key elements that solidified my passion for beer and my drive to expound on it in the written form. First, I learned how to homebrew. Learning to brew is essential to really have a deep understanding of beer.

Another fundamental stepping stone was to take and successfully complete the Beer Judge Certification Pro-

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My spiral bound notebooks and Bic pens found a new purpose.

I had a buddy that worked at an upscale cafĂŠ in nearby Walnut Creek that sold high-end imported beer. On select nights heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d show up with loose singles in the trunk of his Monte Carlo. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d ice them down and get to work educating ourselves.

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gram (BJCP). A lot of people pooh-pooh having a â&#x20AC;&#x153;certified palate,â&#x20AC;? and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a cause of consternation for me.

I would challenge anyone that enjoys beer to take the course and pass it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve told many people that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather comp out of my masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s program again than try to pass the BJCP a second time Trust me; getting certified is a grueling process, but the homework is mostly drinking and studying beer, so it has merit in my book.

In a nutshell, what the BJCP provides is a deep understanding and language of beer. I learned the descriptors for most of the good and bad flavors in beer. I trained my palate to look for the compounds and subtle nuances that go into making a beer good or bad. I even learned how to sense things in beer that I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even taste.

If you are at all interested in the BJCP challenge, your chance is coming up.

According to Anchorageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great Northern Brewers Homebrew Club monthly newsletter, the 10 three-hour classes that prepare a student to take the exam start on February 8. The cost for the amazing amount of information in this lips-on immersive class is a paltry $50 per person. The class is capped at 30 people to keep it manageable and to ensure the best delivery of the materials can best benefit the students. There will be a waiting list if the sign ups exceed 30 students.

Contact the program organizer, Kevin Sobolesky, at metkonig@gmail.com to sign up. Dust off those Bic Stics and college ruled notebooks or charge up your laptop.

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Karl Reed and Rebecca Martin of La Grassa sell artisan pasta at the Center Market PHOTO BY ELISSA BROWN

BY ELISSA BROWN

F

OR A TASTE OF ITALY in the convenience of your own home, look no further than La Grassaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fresh artisanal pasta, sold biweekly at the Center Market in the Sears Mall.

La Grassa, which literally means â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Fat,â&#x20AC;? is also the nickname for Bologna, Italy, the city in which pasta makers Karl Reed and Rebecca Martin studied their craft.

The name, and their logoâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;an exuberantly dancing rotund womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s silhouette, modeled after a marble sculpture in Bolognaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;captures Reed and Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach to pasta-making: fresh and fun-loving, yet rooted in Bolognese tradition.

Learning the craft Reed was born and raised in Anchorage, and Martin hails from New Hampshire. The two began dating in New York in 2007, and both enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America.

Martin studied pastry and Reed, general culinary skills.

Their introduction to pasta came during a study abroad program in Italy. They visited the pasta school in Bologna where Reed would later attend a three-month training course. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was blown away by that old style they used,â&#x20AC;? Reed said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They kneaded by hand, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use machines and made a great product. It was simple.â&#x20AC;?

That trip planted the seed for Reedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appreciation for Italian cuisine, particularly its simplicity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can showcase ingredients without doing too much to them,â&#x20AC;? he said. After graduation, Reed and Martin worked in kitchens in Denver and Boston, beginning to cultivate the dream of opening up a restaurant of their own, most likely Italian.

The couple returned to Italy in early 2013, staying in Bologna while Reed attended a three-month pasta course at La Vecchia Scoula Bolognese, the Old School of Bologna. On the first day, Reed realized that it was entirely taught in Italian. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I spoke only a little Italian,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They spoke only a little English. There were a lot of miscommunications!â&#x20AC;? Nevertheless, he attended the class eight to 10 hours a day, six days a week, learning the art and science of making traditional pasta.

Before leaving Italy, Reed and Martin volunteered on several organic farms in Sardinia and Puglia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Working on those farms really gives you such a good understanding of the culture,â&#x20AC;? Martin said. They gained appreciation for local, fresh foods as they learned where ingredients came from.

The couple moved to Anchorage in August, 2013, and by the start of the following summer, La Grassa was born.

sales in June, 2014 at the Center Market in Anchorage.

The product La Grassa has formed a community among the vendors, incorLa Grassa values a strong sense of tradition, making pasta the porating their products into the pasta. For example, the gnocchi same way that Bolognese chefs have for generations. Generic is made with local potatoes from VanderWeele Farm. La Grassa pasta found in supermarkets resembles a southern Italian style, also uses local squash, beets, onions, greens, and barley flourâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; generally made from only semolina flour and water. In contrast, most purchased directly from Center Market vendors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We like Bolognese pasta uses whole eggs and softer flour, resulting in a to keep it all in the family,â&#x20AC;? Reed said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It helps us out and helps more delicate and tender noodle. others out. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s businesses working together.â&#x20AC;?

Furthermore, La Grassa makes pasta entirely by hand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We Martin added that they value all the customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interaction. like to bring it back to the basics,â&#x20AC;? Martin said. The couple makes â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have quite a few regular customers who have been with us the dough together, and then Reed rolls it thinly, using a three- from day one and we look forward to seeing and talking with and-a-half foot rolling pin. Making it by hand traps small air them every week,â&#x20AC;? Martin said. pockets between gluten strands and stretches the gluten natuSome have even made Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one of Center Marketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rally, Reed explained. Since the dough is too tender and moist to daysâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;into their Alaskan pasta night. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seeing a lot more run through a pasta machine, he cuts each strand by hand with young people coming through the market,â&#x20AC;? Martin said. She herself is 27, and Reed 30. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love seeing people around our age buying our pasta. Some donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like to cook, but still they buy our La Grassaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menu changes with pasta because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so easy.â&#x20AC;?

the season, but they always have regular and spinach pasta of varying widths, gnocchi, ravioli and vegan options. The current ravioli features organic cheddar cheese, and broccoli and kohlrabi from Rempel Family Farm in Palmer.

a knife.

La Grassaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menu changes with the season, but they always have regular and spinach pasta of varying widths, gnocchi, ravioli and vegan options. The current ravioli features organic cheddar cheese, and broccoli and kohlrabi from Rempel Family Farm in Palmer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even fresh pasta in a grocery store is different from ours,â&#x20AC;?

Martin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use preservatives and we handle everything ourselves.â&#x20AC;? The result is a much shorter shelf life; they recommend using the pasta within three days of refrigeration or a month of freezing. But mostly, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to enjoy the pasta fresh.

Finding a community niche La Grassa filed as an LLC under the name La Scarpeta, which means â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Little Shoe,â&#x20AC;? and also describes the wonderfully specific action of cleaning a plate with a slice of bread. They began

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La Grassa artisan pasta is sold Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Center Market at the Sears Mall.

One generous serving is $5. Follow La Grassa on Facebook for updates.

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Taking care of business Reed works full-time making pasta and Martin covers the business aspects, like recording finances, marketing and permitting. Meanwhile, she also works as the chocolatier at Modern Dwellers.

In some ways, La Grassa has a grassroots feel. Reed and Martin started the company on their own, without outside investors.

They prepare their pasta in a commissary kitchen. And yet, slowly and surely, they are making their name known. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need big start-up costs,â&#x20AC;? Reed said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe just a few thousand dollars and then you can see if things work out. We needed to see if there was a market for this kind of thing in Anchorage.â&#x20AC;?

And? Martin said the market has exceeded their expectations.

Now their goal is to sell in other venues and continue to get La Grassaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name out there. Eventually, they would like to own a restaurant or have their own location with a deli-style eatery with both pasta and pastry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dreamers,â&#x20AC;? Martin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We dream, we can see where we want to go. And at the same time, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just two kids slinging pasta.â&#x20AC;? n

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February 5 - February 11, 2015

Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery

8001 Old Seward Highway 11 a.m. to midnight, Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sun. 770-5468

BY PRISCILL A HENSLEY The classic fish and chips ($15.50) was anot her signature between chatt y and atten tive and mysteriously absent or item someone shou ldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have signed off on. Purported ly otherwise occupied.

IKE OTH ER â&#x20AC;&#x153;BRE ASTAUR ANT â&#x20AC;? them e chain res- cod, the fish had the rubbery consistency and drab taste of UBVSB OUT U IF 5JMUFE ,JMU 1VC &BUFSZ BJNT In addition to burgers, wraps, sandwiches, GPS U IF NJE frozen fish stick s. A side salad ordered with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cae â&#x20AC;&#x153;classicsâ&#x20AC;? like sar dress- shepherd â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pie, and entree salad point between Applebeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and the Great s, the Tilted Kilt also serves Alaskan Bush ingâ&#x20AC;? turned out to be a Caesar salad that was no better or pizza. I tried the signature Company. Using the easy gimmick of scan Butcher Block Flatbread ($13.50) tily clad fema le worse than a make-your-ow n from Costco. servers, its owners hope man-cave sex appe which is rectangular and cut into six 3â&#x20AC;?x3â&#x20AC;?

The Kilt Club ($14), also a signature offer al trumps high pieces. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a handy, ing, was the shareable size, but for the prices for med iocre bar food. price it should be more substantial. best selection of our lunchtime meal. It was big and had to The crust tasted funk Their sloga n is, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A cold beer never looke y and I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t order it again. be excavated from beneath a heap of hot, d so good!â&#x20AC;? parmesan-garlic Orig inally a Celtic pub-inspired spor ts As a chain, Tilted Kilt launched several new bar in Las Ve- shoestring fries. Turkey, applewood smoked chicken wing bacon, Swiss Ä&#x2DC;BWPST JO +BOVBSZ B OE I gas, the Tilted Kilt now has approximately BT B OBUJPOXJEF QIPUP TPDJBM NFEJB 100 franchises cheese, lettuce and tomatoes were layered betw een slices of campaign to promote them across the United States. One of the most . Something about a wingman recent opened in sourdoug h bread.

Sout h Anchorage, on the Old Sewa rd High and a chicken wearing Aviators. The wing way, about three s I tried (raspmonths ago. berry chipotle, $15.50) were meat y and hot, but it would be The Tilted Kilt brand depends entirely nice to be able to mix and match flavors. upon the tradeThe menu suggests Kilt Girl uniforms are what a marked Kilt Girl uniforms worn by its drink pairings. Cheap canned beers are fema le hostesses, also avail as wait staff, and bartenders. burlesque dancer might wear at brown bag specials. Wine comes in single-serve bottlable es.

The uniforms resemble what a burlesque Whi le the servers were kind and friendly, dancer might the beg the service was inning of a Braveheartwear at the beginning of a Bravehea rt-th neither particularly sharp nor even. My emed striptease. A dinner and beer at plaid plunge bra is the centerpiece, with the bar had a long slack period in the midd a little white â&#x20AC;&#x153;shir tâ&#x20AC;? themed striptease. le during which tied under the breasts. Way below, past the I just sat there doing some generally inter wearerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s midriff, esting people is a wee kilt with a gold-colored chain watching. slung through its belt loops. Kilt Girls wear long white sock Suffice to say, and this came as no surprise, As a depa rture from our tour of signa s with red kilt the great mature items, I or- jority of Tilted Kilt custo flashes, and black Mary Janes for shoes. mers are men dining alone or with Ever ything but the dered a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Big Arseâ&#x20AC;? burger. My Pub Fried Egg Burger ($14) other men. One offer footwear is prov ided by corporate and come ed a Kilt Girl hostess $20 if he could s in three sizes. was cooked to well instead of med ium, but was indeed big lick her navel. She polit Here in Anchorage, the hostess stands ely declined. Anot her customer was in front of a smal l arse in size, came with warm-ish, fries, and, unlike the fish overheard pointedly space heater. Ever yone else hopes to stay asking what a Kilt Girl was doing after warm by being and chips, was not unforgettably awfu l. busy. (The comparatively few front-hou work, blathering something about â&#x20AC;&#x153;gett se male employees I came back at night to sit at the bar, surv ing a piece of ass.â&#x20AC;? ey the beer se- She firmly shut him down wear black T-shirts and utilik ilts whil . e tend ing bar and lection and try a couple of other menu items. Tilted Kilt clearing tables.)

Whatever their gender, though, the Tilte table servers pushed Coors Light in late d Kilt has some January with the delightful words of The Tilted Kilt opens seven days a week wisdom for its customers. The ladies at 11 a.m. for standard opening line, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Can I start you off with a bever- room is very clean, as if it lunch and closes at midnight (11 p.m. doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get a lot of use. On the wall on Sundays). The age, maybe a cold Coors Light?â&#x20AC;? The even ing bartenders, across from the sinks menu is standard, absurdly broad chain is a big wall mura l in Olde Englishrestaurant fare than kfully, left me to my own devices when it came to style lettering. It reads, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frie with a kiss of faux blarney and tarta n. nds donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let friends take ugly choosing a beverage.

At lunch, my two friends and I shared men home.â&#x20AC;? Its charming counterpart in the pub pretzels I opted for the Black smit h ($8.50), whic the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room h is like a black declares: â&#x20AC;&#x153;No matter appetizer ($7), a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tilted Kilt Signature how good she looks, some other guy is Item.â&#x20AC;? The large and tan, but made with Guinness and Smit hwic kâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, an Irish sick and tired of putting up pretzels were so salty the dipping â&#x20AC;&#x153;Guinnes with her shit.â&#x20AC;? s Beer Cheese red ale. Most ly it tasted like weak Guinness, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what Sauceâ&#x20AC;? was completely over whel med.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to pick up your Kilt Girl calen I get for ordering a beer cock tail. The barte dar on the way nders alternated out. n

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February 5 - February 11, 2015

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First FIRKIN Friday FEB 06 ! 5 - 8 PM

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Anchorage Press

5”W x 7.75”H

1/4 page COLOR

February 5 - February 11, 2015

INGEVENTS FEBRUARY 5 - FEBRUARY 11, 2015

THUR 2.5 FRI 2.6 SAT 2.7

STICK FIGURE Bear Tooth, 9 p.m.

Originally a one-man roots reggae band—literally writing, playing, recording, and producing on his own—Scott Woodruff has risen to prominence. His fifth album, Burial Ground, now includes the talents of friends and recognized reggae singer, Half-Pint. $30, tickets available at beartooththeatre.net 21+ show (1230 W. 27th Ave.)

MELISSA MITCHELL, GORDIE TENTREES, & SPIFF CHAMBERS Tap Root, 7 p.m.

Lords of folk Gordie Tentrees, Melissa Mitchell, & Spiff Chambers will share the stage swapping songs and stories twice for only one night only in Anchorage! Gordie Tentrees also returns with his new album North Country Heart. $10 for the 7 p.m. show, $10 for the 10 p.m. show, & $15 for both.

(3300 Spenard Rd.)

MOONICORN, DUTCHESS, OPTIMISTIC, & THE JEPHRIES Carousel Lounge, 10 p.m.

The Carousel Lounge is offering another delicious spread of Anchorage’s rock scene, experimental to pumped up punk. (3206 Spenard Rd.)

SIT & SPIN GOLDSPRINTS SERIES RACE 1

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Race 1 of this three race bike series, will be a 750M single elimination race with separate men’s and women’s categories and prizes for the top riders. Everyone that races will receive series points for the illustrious GC title. $10 at the door, 8 p.m.

(Trek Store, 530 E. Benson Blvd. Suite 9C)

JABALI AFRICAN ACROBATS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6

This explosive troupe of young acrobats from Mobassa, Kenya combine Chinese acrobatic feats with East African musical tradition to form what has been called, “Kenya’s high energy super-circus.” 7:30 p.m., $26.75 - $34.75. Tickets available at alaskapac.centertix.net (Atwood Concert Hall, 621 W. 6th Ave.)

February 5 - February 11, 2015

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THEATER REVIEW BY LEE HARRINGTON

I

N THE OPENING SCENE of Synesthesia Artist Collective’s touching and graceful production of Flowers for Algernon, the tension between Dr. Strauss (Gigi Lynch) and Professor Nemur (Jay Burns) is palpable. The pair, dressed in iconic white jackets, debate the questions that underpin the theatrical adaptation by David Rogers of the 1960 Hugo award-winning science fiction story of the same name, by David Keyes.

Is the technology for artificially raising intelligence through medical intervention ready for human experimentation? Is it ethical to take a man from an IQ of 68 to genius level?

The plotline of Flowers for Algernon centers on the evolution of Charlie (Jaron Carlson) before, during and after the surgical experiment to increase his intelligence. Brought to the clinic by his teacher Alice Kinnian (Alyssa Barnes), Carlson’s portrayal of Charlie appropriately portrays his starting mental capacity without veering into buffoonery.

At the clinic, Charlie meets Burt (Matthew Fernandez), the medical technician in charge of testing, and we get to meet Charlie in the context of his perspective on the world. His clarity of vision is seen by way of a Rorschach test, as well as his interactions with his coworkers at a bakery.

Skillfully directed by Teresa K. Pond, each of the adult actors in this production play a number of characters, with the exception of Carlson. Fernandez shows deep elegance with his development of Burt throughout the show, especially his bodily depiction of mixed emotions when Charlie finally leaves the clinic.

Fernandez and Burns’ antics as the bakers, Frank and Joe, come across with mobster goon energy that makes for easy laughs opposite the simplicity of the early Charlie.

These easy laughs are shaken up, revealing the cruelty beneath, after Joe and Frank host a party with the staged help of their “ladies” (Rebecca Mahar and AnnaKate Williams). They abandon Charlie after making fun of him, but Charlie, following the surgery at the clinic, finally has the intelligence to realize he’s been duped. This is the breach of his innocence. He asks, “Why do people laugh at a dumb person? People wouldn’t laugh at a cripple.”

One real sign of a drama’s effect on the audience is the suc-

MUSIC: Stick Figure/ Thur. Feb. 5, 9 p.m./ Bear Tooth Theatrepub/ $30/ 21+ show/ Tickets available at www.beartooththeatre.net Originally a one-man roots reggae band—literally writing, playing, recording, and producing on his own—Scott Woodruff has risen to prominence. His fifth album, Burial Ground, now includes the talents of friends and recognized reggae singer, Half-Pint.

MUSIC: The Duhks/ Sat. Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m./ Sydney Laurence Theatre/ $35/ alaskapac.centertix.net for tickets.

This cocktail of traditional styles from zydeco to Celtic influences equates to the very untraditional Duhks. On their new album, Beyond the Blue, Jessee Harvey returns as the original lead singer.

MUSIC: TorQ Percussion Quartet/ Fri. Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m./ Discovery Theatre/ $40.25 - $53.75/ alaskapac. centertix.net for tickets.

Four fine Canadian percussionists comprise this rhythmic set with an arsenal of percussive instruments creating a melodic landscape.

THEATER: The Mountaintop/ Fri. Feb. 13 - Sun. Feb. 22/ Sydney

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cessful transformation of audience behavior. With Carlson’s clarity of delivery of this simple pair of lines, the easy laughs vanish in a powerful moment.

The back-stage team does a fantastic job bringing this cast to their full success, especially with wonderful, complex sound work (Thomas Korn and Alex Albrecht) that ranges from ambient location noise to the monotonous computer that woos Charlie to sleep each night. Charlie’s

intrinsic value in and of itself?

Carlson is the true reason to see this production. He leaves an aching sense of connection to each of the rises and falls of Charlie, his love and loss with Barnes, and his stewing at the medical conJaron Carlson leaves an aching ference. Carlson’s slow sense of connection to each of transformation over the entire show is seamless. the rises and falls of Charlie.

Even more impressive His slow transformation over is his quick slide at the end. Watching an actor the entire show is seamless. move his shoulders and Even more impressive is his basic facial resting place in less than 20 steps from quick slide at the end. a genius to the starting persona is deeply touching and inspiring.

Jaron Carlson as Charlie in Synesthesia transformation is ably presented not only by Carlson, Collective’s prod Charlie says it well. uction of Flowers for Algernon. but also by the two other actors who play the innocent COURTESY SAC “The path I choose young Charlie (Sean Martin) and the cowering teenage through the maze makes Charlie (Reese Lockard). It is wonderful to see a theater group me who I am.” Adding this production of Flowers for Algernon to using a variety of young actors (including Dayra Drury as the one’s maze is well worth every moment. n childhood sister) not just as easy props, but as complex actors in their own right. This is especially true of the wide-eyed fear Synesthesia Artist Collective’s production delivered by Lockard. These smaller roles, in addition to Bruce of Flowers for Algernon runs Thurs., February Kelly’s appearance as the experiment’s financial sponsor, Mr. 15 through Sat. at 7 p.m., with Sun. Harvey, enhance the play’s dimensionality. matinees at 3 p.m. All As Charlie’s costume evolves from disheveled shirt to a vest performances are at APU and tie, we see his evolution from innocence and longing to the Grant Hall Theater, 4101 awareness, loneliness, and anguish of genius. Part of this is the University Dr. Tickets are profound empathy the character shows for Algernon, a test sub$15 and can be purchased at ject mouse in the intelligence experiments. Turning to Burns’ brownpapertickets.com Professor Nemur, Carlson lands hard with “How would you like it if you had to solve a problem to be fed?” This is part of the deep hit that the show gives us—does someone gain their value and humanity through their intelligence, or does humanity share an

Laurence Theatre/ $46/ alaskapac. centertix.net for tickets.

In the Lorraine Motel, after delivering his famous speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. encounters a mysterious maid. She provokes King to acknowledge both his mortality and legacy on what will be the eve of his assassination. Presented by Perseverance Theatre.

Steve Martin to follow them with his banjo. They are intense with strong harmonies and a reverie of intricately plucked strings.

MUSIC: African Guitar Summit/ Fri. Mar. 6 - Sat. Mar. 7, 7:30 p.m./ Discovery Theatre/ $40.25 - $53.75/ Refer to alaskapac.centertix.net for for tickets.

Canadian musicians of African origin perform warmly, their individual styles and personalities shining energetically.

MUSIC: Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires/ Fri. Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m./ Williamson Auditorium/ $15 - $35/ Tickets available at uaatix. com The powerful voice of Charles Bradley is raw with the sounds of ‘60s soul-funk delivered passionately and sincerely. Having experienced a lifetime of hardship, the messages in the lyrics appear to have more control over Charles than he himself as he belts on stage.

COMEDY: Julia Goldman/ Sat. Mar. 7, 7:30 p.m./ Wendy Williamson Auditorium/ $35/ Tickets available at www.eventbrite.com Of Julia Goldman’s talents, comedy has been a long standing passion starting early in her life.

You may recognize her from the first three seasons of Logo’s The Big Gay Sketch Show.

MUSIC: Steep Canyon Rangers/ Sat. Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m./ Atwood Concert Hall/ $30.25 - $52.50/ Refer to alaskapac.centertix.net for tickets.

Wizards of the bluegrass world, the Steep Canyon Rangers are highly celebrated for their technical ability, even attracting actor

PERFORMANCE: Three Acts, Two Dancers & One Radio Show Host/ Sat. Mar. 14, 7:30 p.m./ Atwood Concert Hall/ $48 - $105.25/ alaskapac.centertix.net for tickets.

Host of “This American Life,” Ira Glass uses stories from radio interviews with the animation of dance for a new unexpected nar-

ration. Full of humor and tender moments, watch anecdotes take stage.

THEATER: Million Dollar Quartet/ Tue. Mar. 17 - Sat. Mar. 22/ Atwood Concert Hall/ $49.25 $80.50/ alaskapac.centertix.net for tickets and times.

This hit musical is inspired by the impromptu jam session involving Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash on December 4, 1956. Million Dollar Quartet captures this pivotal moment in rock and roll history.

MUSIC: Strand Of Oaks/ Fri. Mar. 20 - Sat. Mar. 21, 9:30 p.m./ Tap Root/ $20/ Tickets available at taprootalaska.com Timothy Showalter’s bold approach to music, in combination with his bare expression, has defined this folk rock artist. Large and expansive, his writing is well encapsulated in the sonic whirlwind as it rolls over you.

PERFORMANCE: BodyVox/ Fri. Mar. 27 - Sat. Mar. 28, 7:30 p.m./ Discovery Theatre/ $40.25 - $53.75/ alaskapac.centertix.net for tickets.

Dance company BodyVox combines contemporary dance, theater

and film, executed with extreme athleticism. Lead by Emmy awardwinning choreographers Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland, this production allows audience to experience this artform in a new format.

MUSIC: Josh Ritter/ Fri. April 17, 7:30 p.m./ Discovery Theatre/ $45/ alaskapac.centertix.net for tickets.

Singer-songwriter Josh Ritter picks cleverly on guitar strings and sings his thoughtful lyrics in a distinctive narrative style. The results are large, near anthem Americana with incredible personal depth.

MUSIC: Brad Paisley/ Sun. April 26/ Alaska Airlines Center/ $79 - $139/ Tickets at www.AlaskaAirlinesCenter.com or Alaska Airlines Center box office.

Country singer-songwriter Brad Paisley is already on tour after the release of Moonshine in the Trunk in August. Noted for his expertise on guitar and his good humor, Paisley’s live shows have been described as personable and exciting.

February 5 - February 11, 2015

Rupa Marya surrounded by the April Fishes PHOTO BY DENIS BEAUMONT

BY ZAKIYA MCCUMMINGS

S

AN FRANCISCO-BASED ARTIST and physician Rupa Marya makes her first visit to Anchorage this week. Her “wordly music” band, Rupa & the April Fishes, is headlining the 2015 Rhythm Heals Concert as part of the Let Every Woman Know Alaska’s Awareness Weekend, which seeks to raise awareness of gynecologic cancer through arts, community and education. (For a full calendar of events visit leteverywomanknow.org) As well as a musician, Marya is a professor at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, specializing in internal medicine. She has dedicated both of her life’s passions to social activism, using her music as a platform to raise awareness of social issues such as women’s health, immigration, and poverty. She spoke with the Press from California earlier this week.

What made you want to dedicate your life to advocating for people living in poverty?

I don’t know if it’s necessarily people living in poverty as much as it’s people who have a compromised voice. There are a lot of people who don’t have a political voice in our society. As a doctor it’s easy to see that those are the situations where disease can take hold more insidiously. Social and political environments and the education we receive, how resources are allocated, and racial divides are social determinates of illness that can play a large role in who gets sick and how often. Marginalized people have a harder time reaching resources, and they all need to be educated about their bodies and what’s available to them.

What makes music a good platform for social activism?

The simple part is it’s fun and gives people a place to gather and let off steam. We can celebrate tiny victories and talk through some of our struggles. The neuroscientific side is that music creates a profound way to access the mind. I had a patient once who suffered a horrible brain injury. He was in the hospital for nine months and totally nonverbal. When I picked him up as my patient and spent a few days with him I said to myself, “this guy kind of reminds me of a flat picking guitarist from a band I saw live once.” I had a guitar in my office, and so I brought it into the room and started playing “King of the Road” for him. And at the end of each chorus, he’d sing the line, “king of the road.” I was like, ‘No way, this is not happening.’ Come to find out this February 5 - February 11, 2015

was the exact same guy I had seen perform live, and so we got in contact with his old band and they started coming by to play. In a few weeks he was saying a few words. It just shows that the avenue of music was more resilient than just using words. There’s a great responsibility as a musician to craft your message in a way that’ll be uplifting for humanity.

The language that I sing in tends to be determined by the song; what it is I’m trying to express, what the rhythm is asking for, who I’m singing to, or where I am.

On your website you say you want to reinvigorate living music. What do you mean by that?

There’s so much can-recorded music. People don’t really understand how much of what they hear at a concert is prerecorded music that the artist just sings along to. A true [live music] concert experience, it creates something larger than life.

But what’s sad is that people in the audience don’t understand when they’re listening to living, breathing music. There are studies that show sitting in a room with someone playing live music versus listening to a recording of it produces a very different bodily reaction. We have different reactions to live music in ways we don’t fully understand yet. I’ve had the opportunity to travel with really excellent musicians who have honed their craft. It’s not unusual for people to say “that was one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen.” I don’t think they realize how accustomed our culture is to recorded music.

As a child of Punjabi immigrants you did a lot of traveling between California, India, and France. What did those experiences teach you about music?

It taught me a lot about people as well as music. Traveling a lot as a child and having different cultural exposures gave me an ear for common themes. The kinds of music that inspired me were along the lines of folk and uplifting traditions. Things

were very exciting whether I was in the United States, France, or India. It also helped create my perspective of looking out for people. Traveling as a young child, you have an outside perspective moving from one culture to another. It takes a child a while to assimilate to new cultures, so I was someone who was on the outside looking in.

Language plays a large role in your music. Why do you alternate between English, French, and Spanish?

The language that I sing in tends to be determined by the song; what it is I’m trying to express, what the rhythm is asking for, where I am, or who I’m singing to, or a combination of those things. When I started writing in French in a more disciplined way, I gave myself an assignment to write 10 songs about love.

That turned into 30, then 40, and then “lemme try this language, lemme see what happens when I do this.” Experimenting with separating the difference between words and sounds helped me learn to express myself. Songs I sing as very different depending on the languages. With French, it started with love and ended up being about love and transformation, or love and loss. I had a fraternal love of people of different cultures. As I was working with the missionary I work for in San Francisco and I started learning Spanish to communicate with patients those thema emerged. Because of it, my music has an acceptable quality for so many people.

What inspires you as a musician?

[My patients] inspire everything I do creatively. It’s such a gift to be a physician and such a privileged vantage point to have this intimacy with people in the important moments in their lives. It’s extremely inspiring, but also exhausting. Both [being a physician and musician] are very demanding. But the intense creative inspiration from being a doctor is like a ... bottomless well. n Rupa & the April Fishes will perform Sat., Feb. 7 at the Tap Root Public House, 3300 Spenard Rd. Special appearance

by The KJ Denhert Band. 7 p.m. $20.

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EVENT CALENDAR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5

ARTS, OUTDOORS, ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE BOREALIS TOASTMASTERS CLUB—Toastmasters helps people develop communication, leadership, and public speaking skills in a supportive environment.

The club meets at the Midtown Denny’s Restaurant banquet room. Guests are welcome. For additional information visit www.522. toastmastersclubs.org, or call John: 748-3966, or Judy: 333-4206. Free, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

(2900 Denali St.) GO CLUB—Enjoy the ancient Chinese game of Go with the Go Club. Simple rules guide a game of abstract strategy with magnitudes of possible outcomes. The Anchorage Go Club meets weekly 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Title Wave Books. (1360 W. Northern Lights Blvd.)

IT’S GOOD TO BE THE KING: ADVICE & STATECRAFT IN EARLY MODERN EUROPE—In 1543, before his departure from Spain to fight the French, Emperor Charles V left detailed guidance for his 15-year-old son Philip. The written instructions called Como Ser Rey. have been transcribed by Rachael Ball and Geoffrey Parker in a bilingual critical edition.

Free, 5 p.m. (UAA Campus Bookstore, 2905 Providence Dr.) DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ‘NEXT’ ENCOUNTERS— D&D Encounters is an exciting, weekly campaign that plays out one epic encounter at a time. As you defeat enemies, solve puzzles, finish quests, and perform heroic deeds, you’ll earn Renown Points that you can use to get exclusive rewards.

Each session only takes 1-2 hours to play, so it’s easy to fit your game in after school or work, and each week there’s a new and exciting challenge.

Jump in anytime, all you need is dice. 6-8 p.m at Bosco’s (2606 Spenard Rd.) EMERGENCY BEACONS & BACKCOUNTRY RESCUE— Come and learn from a military Search and Rescue professional about emergency beacons and rescue in the backcountry of Alaska.

Discussion will also include an overview of how multiple agencies work cooperatively to respond to search and rescue cases in Alaska. Additionally, different types of emergency beacons will be discussed, with a focus on the differences between their operation and the response that follows activation. Free, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Anchorage REI, 1200 W. Northern Lights Blvd.)

DEATH CAFE—Death Café is not a support group but a way to open dialogue about death, its meaning, and ask questions. Founded in 2011 in England and brought to the U.S. in 2012; thousands have participated worldwide. Light refreshments provided. Any questions may be e-mailed to deathcafe907@gmail.com 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Held in the Ann Stevens Room of the Loussac Library. (3600 Denali St.) CRIMES OF THE HEART— At the core of this tragic

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comedy are the three MaGrath sisters who reunite at Old Granddaddy’s home in Hazlehurst, Mississippi after one of the sisters shoots her abusive husband. Past resentments bubble to the surface as they’re forced to deal with assorted relatives and past relationships while coping with the latest incident that has disrupted their lives.

Their reunion causes much joy, but also many tensions. Feb. 5-8, $13.50 - $17.50 For times and tickets visit alaskapac. centertix.net (Anchorage Community Theatre, 1133 E. 70th Ave.) THE SYSTEM IS THE SOLUTION: OPTIONS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY— Energy reliability, access, climate change, and environmental sustainability challenges have created powerful ideas, but have failed to launch change needed to improve the ecological health of the planet. This discussion will examine a set of examples and propose principles of ‘sustainability science’, where efforts to build resilient approaches to the energy and environmental needs of families and regions have shown real promise in creating a thriving, clean energy economy. Free, 7 p.m.

(UAA Rasmuson Hall Room 101, 3211 Providence Dr.) CROSSCURRENTS WITH 49 WRITERS—Andy Hall, author of Denali’s Howl, joins David Stevenson, author of Letters from Chamonix, for an onstage conversation about their processes of creating an engaging narrative in prose. Free, 7 p.m. Anchorage Museum. (Anchorage Museum, 625 C St.) SIT & SPIN GOLDSPRINTS SERIES RACE 1—Race 1 of this three race bike series, will be a 750M single elimination race with separate men’s and women’s categories and prizes for the top riders. Everyone that races will receive series points for the illustrious GC title. $10 at the door, 8 p.m.

(Trek Store, 530 E. Benson Blvd. Suite 9C)

MUSIC BOB PARSONS, 5 p.m.

(Pubhouse, 13th and L St., 1200 L St.) JIM & DENISE, 6:30 p.m.

(Organic Oasis, 2610 Spenard Rd.)

of chess to learn or just to play. Club membership not required, so have fun. The Chess Club meets inside Title Wave Books. For more information contact John Peters at nimzo@mtaonline. net, 5 to 10 p.m. (1360 W. Northern Lights Blvd.)

FRIDAY NIGHT MAGIC— Looking for a way to play Magic while meeting new friends and winning cool foil prize cards? Friday Night Magic is designed to bring casual players together on Friday nights to play for fun in a less-competitive event. Try it out and discover why Friday night is the best night of the week. All are welcome to come to play without joining the tournament. 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Bosco’s. (2606 Spenard Rd.) GIVING TREES A SWEATER—”Dress” the trees in front of the Anchorage Museum with the Anchorage Guerrilla Knitters and contributing knitters. No experience necessary, and you will be part of making public art. Dozens of colorful pieces will serve as “tree sweaters.”

Free,noon. (Anchorage Museum 7th Ave. entrance, 625 C St.) OPEN CRAFT: DIY VALENTINE—Learn how to create a pop up Valentine’s Day card, a lovely decoration or make a Valentine inspired creation. Get your craft on.

Free, 6 p.m. (Anchorage Museum, 625 C St.) BEGINNING ADULT SKATE SKI LESSON—The skate skiing lesson will cover basics of gliding, stopping, climbing hills, poling, v-skating and diagonal skating techniques.

Waxing, equipment and appropriate clothing will also be covered. Classes are held at Kincaid Park, fee is $25 per class. Preregister on line at www.muni.org/Active or call Selkregg Chalet, Russian Jack Springs Park at 343-6992, Kincaid Center at 343-6397.

6:30 p.m. (9401 Raspberry Rd.) TEN YEARS AT SATURN— The Astronomy series at the Eagle River Nature Center welcomes Debbie Soltis, an astronomer, who will be presenting special topics and answering questions. If the skies are clear, be ready to go outside to view the night sky.

Bring binoculars or a telescope, or share the ones set up by the astronomers. Free, 7 p.m. (32750 Eagle River Rd., Eagle River)

North Country Heart and a slew of new songs, Tentrees will be performing a song swap format with Melissa and Spiff. $10 for the 7 p.m. show, $10 for the 10 p.m. show, & $15 for both. (Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Rd.) BOB MARLEY BIRTHDAY BASH—Head to Chilkoot Charlie’s to celebrate Bob Marley’s 70th birthday, music, and his many accomplishments. Rebel Clef, DJ Militant, & DJ Sean of Total Rebel Sound will provide the appropriate Reggae score with Caribbean food and free giveaways all night long. $10, 9 p.m. (2435 Spenard Rd.)

MUSIC BOB PARSONS, 5:30 p.m. (Downtown Grill, 802 Gambell St.) LARRY MITCHELL, 6 p.m.

(Anchorage City Limits Music Cafe, 239 W. 4th Ave.) PIANO WITH MISHA SHIMEK, 6:30 p.m. (Organic Oasis, 2610 Spenard Rd.) MELISSA MITCHELL, GORDIE TENTREES, & SPIFF CHAMBERS, 7 p.m.

(Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Rd.) DJ TONY H & MYNDGRUV, 9 p.m. (SubZero MicroLounge, 612 F. St.) DJ SPENCER LEE, 9 p.m.

(Flattop, 600 W. 5th Ave.) REBEL CLEF, DJ MILITANT, & DJ SEAN, 9 p.m. (Chilkoot Charlie’s 2435 Spenard Rd.) REBEL BLUES, 9:30 p.m.

(Humpy’s, 610 W. 6th Ave.) LIVEWIRE, 9:30 p.m.

(The Flight Deck, 842 W.International Airport Rd.) MELISSA MITCHELL, GORDIE TENTREES, & SPIFF CHAMBERS, 10 p.m.

(Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Rd.)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 ARTS, OUTDOORS, ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE WRITERS CRITIQUE GROUP—A critique group for writers of all genres, at

RICK ZELINSKY’S JAZZ MASTER SERIES, 7 p.m.

(Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Rd.) STICK FIGURE, 9 p.m. (Bear Tooth, 1230 W. 27th Ave.)

all levels of experience who seek betterment through their peers. Meets at Title Wave Books. For more info, call Mary Edmunds 569-5075 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (1360 W. Northern Lights Blvd.)

SOUTHCENTRAL FOUNDATION GATHERING & WELLNESS EXPO—This free community fair features nearly 200 exhibit booths highlighting SCF health and wellness services, community partner organizations and Alaska Native artists. In addition, there are numerous Alaska Native cultural performances and family activities bringing the Native traditions of celebration and joining together to this annual event. Free, 10:30 a.m.

(Dena’ina Center, 600 W. 7th Ave.) ARCHERY—Northwest Archers Club Instructors will be offering their expertise Saturday mornings at the Kincaid Archery Range.

Instruction comes with an emphasis on safety and all instructors are NASP certified.

Northwest Archers will supply equipment for your use and all skill levels welcome. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Call for directions. Register online or call Kincaid Outdoor Center 343-6397. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (9401 Raspberry Rd.) ICY RIVER RAMPAGE—This 10/20-mile winter bike race is a fundraiser for the Nature Center. Race will start and end at the Center, with some riding on the frozen Eagle River. Awards and bonfire after the race. More details and registration at www. ernc.org This race is part of the Chain Reaction Cycles Abominable Snow Series.

Registration required with entry fee of $30, 11 a.m. (32750 Eagle River Rd., Eagle River) LIFE DRAWING—Join Nic and Vanessa Sweet at the Loussac Library for a free figure drawing workshop geared toward adults and high school-aged teens. All participants must bring their own supplies. Noon. For more information please contact hanedc@muni.org or 3432893. (3600 Denali St.) STRAW FOR DOGS LOVE IN—The 3rd annual fundraiser for Staw For Dogs, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization providing assistance and education for pets outdoors, will feature a Valentine themed photo booth, silent auction and great food. Show your love for our four-legged friends. 5 to 9 p.m. (Anchorage Community

Works, 349 E. Ship Creek Ave.) CHILKOOT CHARLIE’S CONNOISSEURS CLUB KICK-OFF PARTY—Chilkoot Charlie’s is bringing back the Connoisseurs Club for 2015 featuring world class beers from Alaska and beyond. $15 at the door includes food, live music, the Connoisseurs Club passport and tastings. 6 p.m. (Chilkoot Charlie’s, 2435 Spenard Rd.) CABIN FEVER POP-UP FILM SERIES—Visit the Kincaid Bunker for the final off-site film screening associated with the Cabin Fever exhibition.

An evening of experimental films, music, food trucks and an exclusive Cabin Fever beer from Midnight Sun Brewing Co. Ages 21 and older. 7 p.m. $8, tickets available at tickets. anchoragemuseum.org (9401 W. Raspberry Rd.) RUPA & THE APRIL FISHES RHYTHM HEALS CONCERT—Every February Let Every Woman Know hosts an Annual Awareness and Arts of Healing Weekend featuring a very special Rhythm Heals Concert. This year LEWK, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness for gynecologic cancer. Rupa & The April Fishes will perform world music. $20, 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. (Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Rd.) URBAN YETI LOVE IS BLIND: EPISODE 5—This new long form audience experience is designed around exploring relationship “firsts”.

Remember that first date? That first kiss? Soon know Urban Yeti players with such intimacy.

Tickets available at urbanyetiimprov.com, 8 p.m.

(Elvera Voth Hall, 621 W. 6th Ave.)

URBAN YETI: AFTER DARK—Urban Yeti is excited to bring a high energy, short form improv experience that won’t censor anything. The audience is in the driver’s seat, and the players are hungry.

Come watch them unleash the yeti. Tickets available at urbanyetiimprov.com, 10 p.m.

(Elvera Voth Hall, 621 W. 6th Ave.)

(CONT. ON PAGE 28)

WOODROW, 9 p.m. (Humpy’s, 610 W. 6th Ave.) DJ SPENCER LEE, 10 p.m.

(Pioneer Bar, 739 W. 4th Ave.) TREYNDON LEWIS, & DJ IKE CUTZZ, 10 p.m. (Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Rd.)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 ARTS, OUTDOORS, ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE ANCHORAGE CHESS CLUB—Join in for a game

JABALI AFRICAN ACROBATS—This explosive troupe of young acrobats from Mobassa, Kenya combine Chinese acrobatic feats with East African musical tradition to form what has been called, “Kenya’s high energy supercircus.” 7:30 p.m., $26.75 - $34.75. Tickets available atalaskapac.centertix.net (Atwood Concert Hall, 621 W. 6th Ave.) INTERNATIONAL SONGSWAP—From his home in the Yukon, Gordie Tentrees returns to the South Central region teaming up with super folk songwriters Melissa Mitchell & Spiff Chambers.

Armed with a new album,

February 5 - February 11, 2015

ART LISTINGS 2.5.15 DOWNTOWN

newsprint to her acrylic paintings for greater texture and dimension. (608 W. 4th Ave.)

ALASKA HUMANITIES FORUM— The Alaska Humanities Forum pres- CAPTAIN COOK COFFEE CUBBY— ents “Sites Unseen,” a joint exhibit of “Angelica Strong” Silent Auction for new works by Linda Infante Lyons and the Medical Fund of Angelica HaakGraham Dane. (161 E. 1st Ave. Door 15) enson, who lost her legs in a tragic car wreck on Christmas Day. Thanks to ALASKA NATIVE ARTS FOUNDA- the donation of several artists, and TION—Scape; A Place Of Mind is a Stephan Fine Arts, the gallery is hostgroup exhibit of large-scale paintings ing a silent auction from 5 to 7 p.m. interpreting the many views of a physi- One-half of all purchases will be docal setting, of culture, of emotions. nated to the Fund. (939 W. 5th Ave.) (500 W. 6th Ave.) CRUSH WINE BISTRO—C & F PhoANCHORAGE COMMUNITY tography is showing their current WORKS—First Friday Late Salon fea- project, “The Lightness of Being,” at turing art by Lance Lekander. (349 E. Crush for February’s First Friday Art Ship Creek Ave.) Walk. (343 W. 6th Ave.) ARTIQUE LTD.—New works in oil and acrylic by Christine Fortner, imaginative glass by Debora Deal and innovative designs in sterling and stone by Lisa McCormick opening on First Friday reception 5-7 p.m. (314 G St.) BAILIWICK—Celebrating one year of Bailiwick with the work of 17 local artists, re-imagining nearly 40 vintage photographs. Reception 6-9 p.m. (245 W. 5th Ave.) BROWN BAG SANDWICH CO.— Graffiti Art artist Bisco displays his personal works with Snarly Brown.

(400 D St.)

HAIST GALLERY—Artist Diane Haist will show 21 new pieces in an exhibit titled “Laundry Around the World.” Reception 5-8 p.m. (333 W. 4th Ave. #211) INTERNATIONAL GALLERY OF CONTEMPORARY ART— Hugh McPeck’s colleagues, current and former students, and friends have submitted works in honor of, inspired by, or completed under his instruction highlighting the influence he had. (427 D St.)

KILLJOY TASTING ROOM—Unreleased images by Thuy Vo from the Alaskan community culture art project, in association with Arts Alaska, CAKE STUDIO—Jennifer Strat- ‘Imperial Rendezvous’ will be revealed ton’s “Playing with Paint” adds depth for the first time. (400 W. 4th Ave.)

MIDNIGHT SUN CAFE—Vivid Col- ject. Reception 5-10 p.m. (939 W. 5th pretation of her fiber work and how light expresses her emotion and ideas. ors Inks is holding an exhibit of six Ave.) (570 E. Benson Blvd.) young artists presenting a variety of works from sketches to oils (245 W. SUBZERO MICROLOUNGE—Tat5th Ave., Suite 106) tooist by trade, Kasha Palme will be HUGI-LEWIS STUDIO—Highlightshowing personal work featuring pop ing the work of students who particiSEVIGNY STUDIOS—“Surf and culture icons tastefully dressed up on pated in the Alaska YEA Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. (1008 Turf ” by Megan Genevieve is a stun- wood. (612 F St.) W. Northern Lights Blvd., across ning collection of acrylic paintings from Spenard Roadhouse) featuring salmon, seals, and caribou.

Reception 5-9 p.m. (608 W. 4th Ave. LEAH J. PETERSON GALLERY AT Suite 101) BLUE HOLLOMON GALLERY—Let APU—Jennifer Moss presents a seSIDE STREET ESPRESSO—George Every Woman Know First Friday art ries of paintings exploring northern Gee holds his 18th annual Dry Erase showcase features artists whose lives landscapes in polygon format, and silent auction of unexpectedly de- have been touched by cancer as part the creatures who reside within. Reof the Gynecologic Cancer Aware- ception 6-8 p.m. (410 University Dr. tailed erasable artwork. (412 G St.) ness Weekend that is dedicated to in the Carr Gottstein Bldg.)

SHERRI’S AT 5TH—Press photogra- cancer awareness through arts, compher Leif Ramos shows his gorgeous munity and education. Reception 5-8 OPEN SPACE ALASKA—Fine artist Laura Dewey and Shelbi Lynne Voit aurora photography, accompanied by p.m. (3555 Arctic Blvd.) (of Snowdandi Arts), MEZ Pottery live music, from 5-9 p.m. (137 W. 5th CONOCOPHILLIPS GALLERY AT artist Marta Zegzdryn and jewelry Ave.) APU—Scott McDonald’s “New Work” artist Catherine Stewart will all show SHUZY Q SHOES—Lamps, jewelry focuses on the art making process of at Open Space this month. (630 E. holders, antiques, and other acces- constructing, destructing and recon- 57th Pl.) sories are transformed by Dee with structing. His art follows the themes various materials into functional ste- of: flattened, monolithic figurative TAP ROOT PUBLIC HOUSE—The ampunk designs. Reception 5-9 p.m. paintings; collages of found paper Tap Root will host various works by and transferred drawings; prints of artist Vikram Chaobal. (3300 Spe(737 W. 5th Ave.) road flattened beer cans; and a word nard Rd.) SNOW CITY CAFE—Chris Floyd’s wall. Reception 6-8 p.m. (4101 Uniphotography series, “Botanical Mac- versity Dr. in Grant Hall) rophotography” brings Alaskan flowers, fruit and fungi up-close in un- COSMIC CAFE—Featuring the art usual perspectives. (1034 W. 4th Ave.) of the Winterberry 8th Grade class, these young artists exhibit great talSTEPHAN FINE ARTS—Fairbanks ent. 5:30 p.m. reception. (701 W. 36th mixed media artist Jan Stitt is host- Ave.)

AROUND TOWN

ing a solo show displaying her bold approach to painting, which captures the essence and subtleties of the sub-

GREAT HARVEST BREAD COMPANY—Nan Thompson offers free inter-

WE SUPPORT NON-PROFITS!

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Join us for great art, auctions and fabulous food!

Every Let

Highlighting 'Let Every Woman Know' A portion of all sales will benefit research and support for women's gynecologic cancer.

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FIRST FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH

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DIANN HAIST G A L L E R Y

A r t by S t e fa n i e F i e l d s

February 5 - February 11, 2015

907‐360‐6427 333 W. 4TH AVENUE (4TH & C), SUITE 211 ANCHOR AGE, A LASK A 99501

FIRST FRIDAY EXHIBIT FEB. 6, 5‐8 P.M.

“LAUNDRY AROUND THE WORLD”

27

(CONT. FROM PAGE 26)

MUSIC

Alaskan Inn, 7830 Old Seward Hwy.)

MONDAY MAYHEM, 10 p.m.

(Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Rd.)

PIANO WITH MISHA SHIMEK, 12 p.m. (Organic Oasis, 2610 Spenard Rd.)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10

ARTS, OUTDOORS, ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE

ARTS, OUTDOORS, ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE

ALASKA NATIVE KNOWLEDGE: BELIEFS & EXPERIENCES OF THE SUPERNATURAL ENVIRONMENT—Guest speaker Julie RaymondYakoubian shares her collaborative work with tribes in the Bering Strait region of Alaska on the topic of ‘knowledge, beliefs and experiences of the supernatural environment’.

Phenomena that can be described as ‘supernatural’ include, among others, things such as sea monsters, little people, wild babies, unexplained lights, animals that can change into other things and invisible sea birds.

Free, 5 p.m. (UAA Campus Bookstore, 2905 Providence Dr.)

GAME NIGHT AT SUBZERO MICROLOUNGE—Every Tuesday evening SubZero MicroLounge hosts a game night featuring some of America’s favorite games, including Clue, Life, Cards Against Humanity and Scattergories just to name a few. Game Night starts when the bar opens for cocktail hour at 4 p.m. and goes until closing. Make sure to come early to call “dibs” on your favorite game. (612 F St.)

RUPA AND THE APRIL FISHES, & THE KJ DENHERT BAND, 7 p.m.

(Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Rd.) SINGER-SONGWRITER SATURDAY, 8 p.m. to late (Organic Oasis, 2610 Spenard Rd.) DJ VICTAMONE, 9 p.m. (Sub Zero, 612 F. St.) H3 REGGAE, 9:30 p.m.

(Humpy’s, 610 W. 6th Ave.) MOONICORN, DUTCHESS, OPTIMISTIC, & THE JEPHRIES, 10 p.m. (Carousel Lounge, 3206 Spenard Rd.)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 ARTS, OUTDOORS, ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE ANCHORAGE BOARD GAMERS GROUP— Interested in playing board games? So is the Anchorage Board Game Group, from classics to the latest boards play casually or bunker down for epic campaigns. 1 p.m at the Loussac Library. (3600 Denali St.)

MUSIC PIANO WITH ERIN PESZNECKER, 1 p.m.

(Organic Oasis, 2610 Spenard Rd.) THE KJ DENHERT BAND, 5 p.m. (Hard Rock Cafe, 415 E St.) BLAZE & ERIC, 5:30 p.m.

(Sullivans, 320 W. 5th Ave.) OPEN MIC, 8 p.m. (Humpy’s, 610 W. 6th Ave.) DOWN AND DIRTY BLUES JAM, 8:30 p.m. (Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Rd.) OPEN MIC, 9 p.m. (Al’s

ROCKET STOVES—Offering an efficient and clean biomass-burning option, rocket stoves mix wood gases and oxygen in insulated chambers that concentrate the fire on the tip of the wood.

The result is a more efficient burn using less wood and producing fewer emissions than traditional stoves. They are great for cooking and heating in camps as well as emergency situations. 5:15 p.m. (Anchorage Cooperative Extension Service, 1675 C St.) GEEKS WHO DRINK— Simply, a quiz game played in a pub. It’s an Anglo-Irish tradition, but the goal is the same: to foster friendly competition, and promote social drinking, a noble cause, every Monday & Tuesday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., free, at the Tap Root. (3300 Spenard Rd.) THE SIREN POETRY SHOW—Anchorage’s only weekly live poetry show, every Monday at City Limits. Open mic meets slam meets feature show all with a house band and no cover. Free, 9 p.m. (239 W. 4th Ave.)

SKINNY RAVEN TUES. NIGHT PUB RUN—A free Tuesday social run for anyone starting from Skinny Raven Downtown. Meet at Skinny Raven at 5 p.m., walkers can start early and the group run starts at 6 p.m. Meet friends and fellow joggers as well as view product demos and there are fun prizes every week. Finish the run at McGinley’s Pub or overflow to Flattop Pizza & Pool. The runs are approximately 5K in distance. 5 p.m. till finished.

(McGinley’s Pub, 645 G Street / Flattop Pizza, 600 W. 6th Ave.) WILDLIFE & ALASKANS: LIFE AMONGST COMPLEX RELATIONS—Audrey Taylor (UAA Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies), Matthew Reimer (UAA Assistant Professor in Economics/ ISER) and Bill Sherwonit (author of Animal Stories: Encounters with Alaska’s Wildlife) discuss their relationship with wildlife. This event hopes to highlight the various ways that wildlife are central to each person’s work and how that work for data, scientific observation and nature writing changes their relationship to the wild. Free, 5 to 7 p.m. (2905 Providence Dr.)

KARAOKE, LIVE MUSIC, 10 p.m. (Chilkoot Charlie’s, 2435 Spenard Rd.)

MAGIC OF INDIA: COLIN TYLER BOGUCKI—From the jungles to the cities, Colin will share his images of wild Bengal tigers, one-horned Indian rhinoceros and an array of other wildlife as well as an in-depth look at the people and radiant culture of India. This will be a unique opportunity to view and hear tales of adventure along with the challenges of traveling through India. 7 to 9 p.m. (Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, 121 W. 7th Ave.) FIASCO!—In the spirit of “This American Life,” “The Moth,” and other urban storytelling events, Arctic Entries brings Alaskans to the stage to share their personal stories, funny, sad and sweet. At each performance, seven people each tell a seven-minute long, true story relating to the show’s theme, Stories of Schemes, Dreams, and When the Shit Hits the Fan. Local musicians will perform, as well. $12 admission, 7:30 p.m.

(Discovery Theatre, 621 W. 6th Ave.) OPEN MIC WITH JAMES GLAVES OF GHOST HANDS—Tuesdays are open mic nights at the Tap Root.

James Glaves of Ghost Hands will host every week from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. This event is free and it’s best to arrive early and sign up for a spot, as they go fast. (3300 Spenard Rd.)

MUSIC BOB PARSONS & FRIENDS, 6 p.m. (Organic Oasis, 2610 Spenard Rd.) AFTERWORK ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE, 6:30 p.m.

(Pioneer Bar, 739 W. 4th Ave.) OPEN MIC WITH JAMES GLAVES, 9 p.m. (Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Rd.)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11

MUSIC PIANO WITH MELISSA, 6:30 p.m. (Organic Oasis, 2610 Spenard Rd.)

Argentine Tango Basics, then 8:05 p.m. to 9 p.m. Argentine Tango Beyond Basics $10 per hour, $15 for both classes.

Call ahead to reserve a spot as classes are limited to 8 students per class to 529-9559.

(Suite X, 5200 Juneau St.)

ARGENTINE TANGO BASICS & BEYOND—Learn Argentine Tango from Patrick and Roxanne as they teach you the proper technique of the dance at the Turnagain Arts Building. 7 p.m. to 7:55 p.m.

ARTS, OUTDOORS, ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE BICYCLE MAINTENANCE— Off the Chain, a non-profit bicycle collective, offers a workshop lead by volunteers

for bicycle maintenance.

Learn essentials for bike tune-ups and repair work to keep safe on the roads.

Open to the community, for more information visit offthechainak.org, 3 to 7 p.m.

(814 W. Northern Lights Suite W-15).

HEY YOU, GENERATE YOUR POWER!—Sometimes the sun is shining and the wind often blows. Learn whether these types of energy will work for your home or for seasonal-use sites. Register at conta.cc/1BxqIn2 Free, 4 p.m. (Anchorage Cooperative Extension Service, 1675 C St.) DR. ALLAN BARNES PRESENTS: IS THE LECTURE DEAD?— Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) is a student team-based teaching technique. It stresses cooperative learning through a discovery-based team environment. At this event, Dr. Allan Barnes shares his pedagogy research with POGIL and his justice classes. Free, 5 to 7 p.m. (2905 Providence Dr.) AFTER HOURS BY DESIGN—After Hours is an informal event open to everyone in the design community. 6 to 9 p.m.

(Killjoy Tasting Room, 400 W. 4th Ave.) MEDIEVAL SWORD AND BUCKLER CLASS— Fiddlebow Fechtschule offers a weekly class on the use of the medieval sword and buckler.

Each class incorporates the development of fundamental skills, technique exchange and conditioning in a relaxed but mindful atmosphere. No prior martial arts or fencing experience is necessary.

Please contact Fiddlebow Fechtschule by email at chris@ fiddlebowfechtschule.com to make arrangements to watch or participate. Drop-ins will be flayed. Classes take place each Wednesday at 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Open Space Alaska, LLC. (630 E. 57th Pl.) BOARD NIGHT AT HUMPY’S—Every Wednesday at Humpy’s is a chance to win prizes by playing Wii on the big screen. It is easy as that to win lift passes, overnight stays to Alyeska Resort, Allure Day Spa and Flattop Pizza + Pool gift certificates, and a $100 Gear Pass to AK Boardroom are up for grabs every week.

But the grand prize is a heliski trip for two from Points North Heli-Adventures so come often for a chance to win big. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. (610 W. 6th Ave.)

DIANE HALL, 6:30 p.m.

(Organic Oasis, 2610 Spenard Rd.) AMERICANA ROOTS OPEN MIC, 7 p.m. (Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Rd.) LIVE MUSIC, 8 p.m. (SubZero MicroLounge, 612 F. St.) MEGA’S MUSICAL WEDNESDAY, 8 p.m.

(Anchorage City Limits in The Lofts, 239 W. 4th Ave.) THE ETERNAL COWBOYS, 10 p.m. (Pioneer Bar, 739 W. 4th Ave.) OPEN DECKS, karaoke 10 p.m. (Chilkoot Charlie’s, 2435 Spenard Rd.)

ONGOING EVENTS For a complete list of events visit www.anchoragepress. com/content/events YOGA ON DONATION — Open Space offers weekly yoga, dance and other drop-in classes. Come join a vibrant community and pay what you can. All levels are welcome.

Classes include: MWF lunch hour classes, Ashtanga, Hips, Core Explore, Prenatal, Baby & You, 50 and Fit and much more. Find our full schedule and special events online: OpenSpaceAlaska.com/ calendar/ (630 E. 57th Pl.)

UPCOMING RUNS VALENTINE’S CHOCOLATE RUN—Run as an individual or as a couple’s team along Ship Creek, through the Tunnel of Love and back on this 5K course. This year all participants receive a winter scarf with a custom race patch and each finisher receives chocolate truffles from Modern Dwellers. There will also be prizes for the top three men and women, the fastest three couples, and the best-costumed couple, so get creative! Sat. Feb. 14, 10 a.m.

Visit www.skinnyraven.com/ races/ for more information and registration.

MUSIC LIVE LOCAL MUSIC, 5 p.m.

(Hard Rock Cafe, 415 E. St.)

Sophisticated readers prefer the Press.

FREE EVERY THURSDAY throughout Anchorage.

28

February 5 - February 11, 2015

Adam Winfield at Fort Lewis, August 2011.

PHOTO BY DAN KRAUSS

FILM REVIEW BY INRA ARRIAGA

T

HE KILL TEAM, a 79-minute documentary by Dan Krauss, reveals shocking accounts of the Maywand District murders in 2010, in the southern Kandahar Province of Afghanistan.

A team of five American infantry soldiers that self-identified as the “kill team” set up situations in which they targeted and killed unarmed and unsuspecting Afghan civilians for sport. They justified the set ups as combat scenarios initiated by the victims.

After the premeditated murders the soldiers took selfies and even human remains as trophies for their kills. The idea that all’s fair in love and war is a contextual notion, and a flawed one at that; rules of war still apply. These rules are meant to govern behavior on the battlefield to minimize carnage and retain a moral and ethical core and a sense of purpose. The Kill Team illustrates how delicate the balance is between the animalistic instinct in Man to control, possess and destroy, and the higher self—or humanity. The documentary tells the story of how the kill team comes together and falls apart, focusing in particular on the story of the whistleblower, 21-year old Adam C. Winfield, and his struggle to survive a hostile situation inside and outside of his platoon.

The kill team was comprised of young, healthy, strapping American men who went from the heartland of the U.S. to the battlefields of Afghanistan, with little experience in between.

Their ringleader, Sergeant Calvin Gibbs, a bully with psychopathic tendencies, transformed the 1st Infantry 5th Brigade members into his kill team.

Winfield tried to sound the alarm on the murders but the military machinery was deaf to his attempts. In the meantime, his options in the field diminished and he took part, whether under duress or not, in the crimes. Windfield, along with his fellow kill

team members, was convicted of the crimes and sentenced to lengthy terms in military prison.

Krauss opens the documentary with frank and shockingly candid interviews of the 1st Infantry 5th Brigade members as they give detailed accounts of their actions, and out the mouth of babes come deplorable truths that speak to disconnects and broken systems that keep the world in disarray. By focusing on the legal process against Winfield, Krauss ties in the impact of the murders on the families as well as the soldiers. There is a disconnect between the soldiers and the people who love and support

The Kill Team illustrates how delicate the balance is between the animalistic instinct in Man to control, possess and destroy, and the higher self—or humanity. them—parents, lovers, friends. The experience of war is so alienating that it’s almost like it splits soldiers into two, the person at home and the beast in the field. The latter remains unknown to the civilian world, making reintegration back home difficult and complicated.

Regardless of viewers’ political beliefs or moral compasses, The Kill Team is a small part of a bigger conversation that needs to happen about the current state of affairs in an increasingly interconnected and bellicose world. The Kill Team is about a particular situation and crime, but unfortunately, not an isolated

occurrence, as evidenced by history; the U.S. is one of many empires and countries that have committed crimes of war systematically and by individuals. The documentary does not give sufficient information or analysis about the war in Afghanistan, but then again, how much can Krauss really cover in less than 80 minutes? Viewers who have not followed the breadth of the wars since 9/11 may feel at a loss yet be repulsed by the violence and graphic images of the documentary. The film seems a little lopsided because even though Sergeant Gibbs is the architect of the atrocities and is referenced throughout, he is not interviewed nor does he give statements that offer a substantial defense.

The Kill Team should raise questions about societal shifts that desensitize realities about war and relationships between peoples. Selfies with human beings killed for sport, home movies validating war experiences, and the perception expressed by kill team members that Afghan lives are worth less than American lives, all signal that there is something very wrong in the world and that if not understood and resolved can lead to the continued unraveling of American values. As Professor Octave Mannoni says in his book Prospero And Caliban: The Psychology of Colonization, one cannot ease a guilty conscience by walking away from a situation one has created. n

The Kill Team will show at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub on Monday, February 9, at 7:45 p.m.

ART HOUSE MON| FEB 9 Takes audiences on a thought-provoking journey into the town of State College, the home of Penn State University, an area long known as "Happy Valley." The film delves into the culture of a school, town and country where football is religion; into the world of Joe Paterno, Penn State's iconic head football coach for over four decades; and into the days, months and years leading up to November 2011, when everything came crashing down. HAPPY VALLEY chronicles the ensuing firestorm of accusations of this complicated and tragic tale, and creates a parable of guilt, responsibility, and identity for a small town caught in the glare of the national spotlight. [UNRATED]

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February 5 - February 11, 2015

When Private Adam Winfield, a 21-year-old soldier in Afghanistan, witnessed members of his platoon murder innocent civilians (planting weapons on the corpses to make it appear as though they were terrorists), he attempted to alert the military to these heinous war crimes with the help of his father. But Winfield's pleas went unheeded. Left on his own and with threats to his life, Private Winfield was himself drawn into the moral abyss, forced to make a split-second decision that would change his life forever.

[UNRATED]

For a complete listing of this week ’s movies, go to w w w.bear tooththeatre.net

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Y

OUNG EMERGING ARTISTS (YEA) is Alaska’s non-profit affiliate to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Since 1923, the awards have recognized emerging writers and visual artists from around the country in grades seven through 12.

For the 2015 awards, Alaska teenagers entered their work in 28 categories of art and writing for their chance to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited and published. Works that received Gold Key recognition were forwarded to the national competition in New York City.

On February 6, the Margret Hugi-Lewis Gallery in Spenard is hosting a First Friday opening to showcase the work of this year’s YEA awardees.

Published on these pages are just a few examples of work by this year’s winners, selected by Press editorial staff. To view more, visit anchoragepress.com.

For more information on YEA, visit yeaalaska.org

ROBO TIGER Felicity Jones 10th grade, home schooled

“Stay there,” sh hair flopping ar the chemicals o the cheap, coc washed with.

“Stay I›ll come back f sprinted away boxes. That was back. He flatten He half-hoped s the security gu Yet he knew th him.

Voic He curled up, fe arms glowed in posed. She wou could almost he you’re a regula with that pale dark like me.” everything.

Door steps on the flo came back to h she couldn’t find a less uncomfor The box dented when she and he hoped it downstairs, and steps pounded a “See b

Anna Lance (11th grade, West High School)

we were born geographically distinct. i was four years old and humming mosquito-drone lullabies copied from the mothers of the marshes and you were four years old and growling low in your throat to mimic the cars flying by, i was eight with sinews spun from grass that went to my waist and you were eight with eyes dented and radiant like hubcaps throwing speed into shadow and the spruce needles in my hair wanted the cigarette ash in your pockets, my mountains admired your skyscrapers, my stars reached for the fever-bright smother of light pollution — this isn’t going to work, you whisper and push me back, gravel in my mouth, soil in yours. i want to say: sew us up with unspun miles, the network of roads crumbling, holding us together. crown us in smog and the northern lights and all things that shouldn’t go together but do. undo me. set fire to the tundra and the bog forests, the skeleton trees with their termite toothmarks. dismantle every ecosystem and parcel the glaciers into snowfall and time and please, for the love of god, crush the distance. i don’t want to be this person anymore.

ILLUMINATING VASE Kennedy Trabold 12th grade, East High School

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February 5 - February 11, 2015

PERFECTION? Kat Krupski 11th grade, East High School LAUREN Hannah Boleen 12th grade, Kodiak High School

Anna Laird (7th grade, Interior Distance Education of Alaska)

he had said, her short choppy round her face. He could smell on her tattered jean jacket and conut-scented shampoo she

there and don›t make a sound. for you.” She had turned and down the aisle of cardboard s an age ago. She hadn’t come ned himself against the wall. she’d escaped and slipped past uards and out on to the street. hat she wouldn’t leave without

ces echoed from another room. eeling terribly bare. His white n the darkness, and he felt exuld tease him, he thought. He ear her. “Look at you, bambino, ar streetlamp! Wotcha want skin anyway? You should go She loved to tease him about

rs slammed and he heard footoor below. Her hurried words him “Stay there.” If he moved d him. He shifted himself into rtable position. x he crouched behind had been e had pushed it in front of him, t didn›t show. Glass shattered d someone shouted. The footaway. bambino? Everything is gonna

be all right now.” He swallowed. “Don’t be so scare-easy bambino. They won’t find you.”

A tear ran down his face, cutting a white line through the mud splattered on his face. She would have used her horrid jacket sleeve to wipe it off. “Sit still, for mercy’s-sake ! You don’t want to be seen like this, huh? With all this mud on you, folk’ll think you a monster!”

A second tear threatened. He drew his legs up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them.

Minutes passed. The second tear escaped and slid down his cheek.“If you cry, you won’t see them coming. They’ll get you jus’ like they got Mila. Oh for mercy’s-sake, bambino, just stop!”

He froze. Footsteps echoed down the aisle. He prayed that they were hers. Yet even as he hoped, he knew it was not so. He knew before he saw the pale arms gleaming against the black of the room, before he saw the long hair swinging around the figure›s shoulders.

He knew when he heard the footsteps, boots slamming on the floor, not the scoff-scuff of worn out sneakers. He knew when he did not hear the clinking of pennies against Mila›s old switchblade, and when he did not smell the ever-present scent of coconut and chemicals.

The figure came level with him and stopped. Then it turned. “Just close your eyes bambino, everything will be all right.” He closed his eyes, and even as he did he thought he glimpsed a flash of metal in the pale, white hand.

Nora Herzog (12th grade, West High School)

Sometimes she speaks, Her words so delicate, That you fear (softly, softly) That they may shatter on the floor and B R E A K Millions of pieces scattering.

So step carefully, They warn you, shaking heads That are full of nothingness and (look away, look away) Shame.

But the words that fall from her lips, Swollen shut From years of (gently, child) Abuse and mistrust, Spill out diamonds that cut the flesh Of her body.

And the cuts bleed ink and lies, Seeping through the clothes that she wears, Threadbare and thin.

They stain her soul but (do not move, child) She does not cry And still the blood drips From self-inflicted wounds That are merely the price of knowing What others (shush, child) Are too scared to see.

Heather Maltbie (12th grade, Alaska Middle College) The hospital is a hopeless place. People dying. People sick. People helpless and grieving. The most peaceful place in this house of horrors is the maternity ward. Here life is being given rather than taken away. Here is where myself and my colleagues frequently visit. We hover, unseen, above you inconsequential mortals with your trivial problems. You have named us the ‘mental disorders’.

I do not find this name applicable. We are certainly orderly. We attach ourselves to your very personalities wreaking havoc and leaving destruction in our wake. It takes precision and practice to effectively consume the portions of your soul so vital to our existence. Definitely not disorderly. ‘Mental parasites’ would have been far more appropriate.

The name you have given to me specifically is Schizophrenia. Each and every one of us ‘parasites’ chooses the hospital as our own personal smorgasbord.

Much as you humans with your restaurants, we have our own preferences as to where we wish to feed. Alzheimer’s prefers to dine on the elderly. Eating disorders such as Pica, Bulimia, and Anorexia prefer young teenagers with their oh-so-fragile self-esteem. Others, such as Anxiety, Depression, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, will feast on individuals of any age. As for myself, I prefer to be here in the maternity ward. It is a much happier environment than that of the rest of this decrepit hospital. My close companions, who also prefer to prey on the weak, include Autism and Attention Deficit Disorder.

CONTINUED ON P. 32

February 5 - February 11, 2015

The Margret Hugi-Lewis Gallery will host a First Friday opening for an exhibit and reading of works by 2015 Young Emerging Artists gold, silver, and honorable mention awardees.

Visual arts pieces will be on display; West High School drama students will read winning short stories and poems. Fri., Feb. 6. 1008 W. Northern Lights Blvd., (between Cope St. and Spenard Rd.) 250-8068

P. 21 A.M.E. COVER INFINITE TERNS Jonah Lindquist 7th grade, Seward Middle School

TINKERBELL Hannah Boleen 12th grade, Kodiak High School

31

ALCHEMIST Emma Thomas 9th grade, South Anchorage High School

CANYON Celine Abello 12th grade, Dimond High School

CONTINUED FROM P. 31 Most of us ‘parasites’ begin to feed immediately after finding a host, quickly catapulting their fragile personalities into a state of continued degeneration until there is nothing left. It is then that we leave them, broken and empty, and find another, fresher body to occupy. Not me; I am unusual in this aspect. Upon entering my host body, fresh out of the womb, I go into a hibernation of sorts. Having found a safe place to rest in peace, I sleep for exactly twentytwo years, four months, nine days, and sixteen hours.

It is now that I should inform you how we get such specific chronological instructions. I am one of the 3.5 million cases of Schizophrenia currently feeding in the United States of America. Countless millennia ago, my siblings and I were brought into existence. We did not come about all at once, but individually over hundreds of thousands of years. We were not born, nor were we created. We simply arose due to spontaneous mutations in DNA. We are an accident. Regardless, we feel the need to feed, to survive, to thrive. Upon our arrival into this broken world, we are given a specific incubation period, unique to each of us, in which we will lie dormant in our host. Resting.

Waiting. My incubation period is 22 years, four months, nine days, and 16 hours.

After this exact amount of time, an alarm will sound in my host. I believe you humans call it a ‘snap’. Anyway, this very loud ‘snap’ will interrupt my slumber and I will begin to feed. I begin in the center of your brain, the place where your personality hides. It is here that I will begin to munch on this ambrosia, poking holes in the silky cloth that makes up your entire being. Until I have caused an increment of damage, things will appear relatively normal in my host. As I will continue to feast, your mind will be ravaged. First come the delusions. You will inaccurately analyze the world around you.

You will think ‘maybe so and so likes me’.

I will feed on this idea until the message is scrambled. Your brain then misinterprets the thought as ‘so and so wants to steal my pet cat’. Or perhaps you will think ‘oh,

32

that group over there is discussing weekend plans’, at which point I will interfere, changing the message to ‘that group is transpiring against me’.

Next will come the hallucinations. It will happen as you are sitting alone in an empty room. You will begin to hear voices. Speaking to you. Taunting you. Haunting you. It is not I who comes up with their corrosive messages; that is entirely of your own mind.

An unfortunate side effect as I poke holes in your personality. Your dark thoughts manifest and you perceive these as actual voices.

It is around this point that your family will begin to notice that you are seemingly ‘off’.

Unable to pinpoint the underlying problem, they will assume you are going through a ‘phase’ or a ‘rough patch’ and are unlikely to provide you with professional help; which is okay because you don’t want them to. Why would you want help from those that are secretly plotting your demise?

I continue to feed, quenching the hunger I have held dormant for so long. As my needle-like teeth poke holes in your soul, some pinpricks inevitably plant themselves in your brain tissue. As a result, you will begin to have muscle spasms. Your neck and arms twitch in random intervals. It is now that your family realizes your need of professional council. If I am unlucky, they will force you into treatment. They will give you strong medications that drastically impede my ability to feed. Sometimes. Depending on which brain I choose to occupy, the drugs may have no effect. Others may be devastating to my survival, threatening my life. I learned long ago to choose my victims with care. Those with unhappy families typically have brain chemistry that supports drug resistance. Luckily you ignorant humans have failed to realize my weakness and I am able to thrive with the right amount of luck.

As my hunger is slowly fulfilled, I will slow down in my consumption of your essence. Holes have been poked in the thin cloth that is your personality to the point that it now has the appearance of Swiss cheese rather than the silk fabric it used to compare to. At this point, years have passed. You have so very little left now that your loved ones have realized that you’re ‘psychotic’. At

this point, you will have what your illiterate physicians refer to as negative symptoms.

For you this means your personality is all but lost. For me this means my quest is almost complete. You will be unable to properly function in society. You lack empathy.

You express no emotion. You are a shell of your former self. You are my shell.

You may be suicidal. You may attempt it. You may succeed. In which case I would simply find another host. A younger host. A fresh host. If you do not go down this path, I will soon leave you. I need a new personality to feast on if I am to survive. I will not take with me the damage I have caused. That is permanent. You may never get your life back in order. Most don’t. That is not my problem.

You may think that this is cruel and unjust but you humans with your unhappy families, abuse, and alcoholics create the perfect environment for me and my brethren. But before I can begin my consumption, I must first find a worthy host.

This brings me back to the third floor of St. Mary’s Medical Center. The maternity ward. Twenty tiny babies lined in neat rows, sleeping soundly in their bassinets.

My gaze falls upon young Lucas Scott.

He is small, weighing only six pounds and five ounces. Occasionally, this insinuates that the mother did not eat properly while she was pregnant. I scan his chart for other anomalies. The paperwork tells me that he could possibly have FAS or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. His mother drank alcohol while pregnant. The odds were looking better for my prolonged survival. Neglectful parents breed a very cozy home for me. Yes, this one would do nicely. Floating downward slowly from my vantage point, I fell towards young Lucas. Upon reaching his bassinet, I reached my transparent arms around him and leaned my formless face towards his.

Planting a small kiss on his forehead, I absorbed myself, as if by osmosis, into his tiny, malleable skull. I form myself a small nest in the silk of his soul, set my alarm to 22 y ears, four months, nine days, and 16 hours, and fall into a deep sleep; waiting for the day when the timer sounds and I can at last satisfy this eternal famine. n

February 5 - February 11, 2015

February 5 - February 11, 2015

33

BOOK REVIEW BY DAVID FOX

L

IGHTHOUSES HAVE LONG OCCUPIED a unique space in America’s psyche. They have played a number of diverse roles, from their functional purpose as a beacon of light protecting sailors, to their symbolic value as inspirational tools to guide us on our journey through life. As Benjamin Franklin once wrote: “Lighthouses are more helpful than churches.”

In Point of Direction, by first time author Rachel Weaver, a lighthouse located near Juneau becomes more than a home away from home for Weaver’s two main characters. Like an omniscient narrator the lighthouse lets us in on something special it shares with Weaver’s speaking characters–secrets.

Anna, the female lead in the story, meets her love interest while hitchhiking the AlCan Highway. Their relationship starts on a cautious note fraught with covert meaning. Accepting a lift from Kyle, she jumps in the back of his truck, rather than ride up front in the cab. Later, when he asks her what she does, she replies, “I move.” She does not say from what or to.

Scoot forward a year or so, and Anna and Kyle have begun a relationship. They’ve spent six months together in Mexico and are contemplating their next moves when Kyle tells Anna there’s a nine-month lease available for the Hibler Rock Lighthouse (fictional) for only a buck. All they have to do is maintain the log book. Anna wavers. There will only be the two of them on a desolate spit, three hours from land, in the middle of a chan-

nel buffeted by nearly incessant winds. She relents. They load up their small skiff and head across the channel to the lighthouse they will call home for the next three seasons. Disaster strikes immediately. Waves swamp their skiff, which sinks to the channel’s bottom. While hardly an auspicious way to begin their stay, this does not crush Anna’s spirits. Oddly enough, that very same night, after exploring about a bit, she discovers the glass-walled

Weaver wants us to know about secrets, how we hold them tight inside, how we believe the darkest ones are best left out of sight. room offering a 360-degree view. It is up there, looking out at the grey water, mountains, glaciers, trees, small coves and beaches when she realizes she is “filled with a peace I had not expected.

The trees on the shoreline stand strong and still while the water whips this way and that in response to the building wind. It makes me feel hopeful in a way I cannot define.”

So, quickly, Weaver establishes that for Anna the lighthouse evokes feelings within herself, which, she understands, may ush-

er in a passage of transition. It is this process, stretching over the course of the novel, that rivets the reader. In part it’s because we don’t exactly know what is occurring. From the very beginning, well before the trip to Hibler Rock, Weaver creates this enigmatic mood. Consciously, not by accident, she germinates the plot with seedlings of mystery. She doesn’t hide it nor try to obscure the fact that she’s obscuring the facts. The hide and seek nature of her novel drives the plot like the wind whipping the lighthouse, snapping it back and forth, here and there.

Getting back to secrets. In her psychological thriller they spill over, collide with one another, while hiding in dark corners.

Weaver wants us to know about secrets, how we hold them tight inside, how we believe the darkest ones are best left out of sight.

Anna and Kyle clutch painful secrets deep within, not sharing, not hinting at the pain inflicted upon themselves. The two of them discover clues to their own repressed traumas within the recesses of the lighthouse. Anna stumbles across them, oblique references to someone else, which nonetheless reach back over time to shine light on her own shrouded history. For Kyle it is different. He knows the lighthouse holds clues to his past. He searches for them relentlessly, frightened of what their discovery might reveal. Weaver brilliantly lets the reader in on this conundrum confronting Kyle without disclosing too much, keeping the riddle intact.

It would not be fair to divulge if Weaver chooses to unravel the quandary she’s created, but it is safe to say that all along, the lighthouse knew. n

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February 5 - February 11, 2015

NEWS of the WEIRD BIG-TENT MENTALITY The Project Theater Board at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, decided in January to cancel its upcoming annual presentation of the feminist classic Vagina Monologues.

The all-women’s college recently declared it would admit males who lived and “identified” as female (regardless of genitalia), and the basis for cancellation of “Vagina Monologues” was that the unmodifiable script is not “inclusive” of those females —that it covers only experiences of females who actually have vaginas.

NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED —Kathi Fedden filed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit in December against Suffolk County, New York, police after her 29-year-old son, driving drunk in 2013, fatally crashed into an office. She reasons that the son’s death is the fault of the police officer who stopped him earlier that evening and who must have noticed he was already drunk but did not arrest him. The officer, who knew the son as the owner of a popular-with-police local delicatessen, merely gave the son a lift home, but the son later drove off in his mother’s car, in which he had the fatal crash.

—A generous resident (name withheld by KDKA-TV) of South Oakland, Pennsylvania, in seasonal spirit the week before Christmas, invited a pregnant, homeless woman she had met at a Rite Aid store home with her for a hot shower, a change of clothes and a warm bed for the night. The resident was forced to call police, though, when she went to check up on her guest and discovered her engaging in sexual activity with the resident’s pit bull. The guest, enraged at being caught, vandalized the home before officers arrived to arrest her.

THE NEW NORMAL The website/smartphone app Airbnb, launched in 2008, connects travelers seeking lodging with individuals offering private facilities at certain prices. About a year ago, entrepreneur Travis Laurendine launched a similar smartphone app, “Airpnp,” to connect people walking around select cities and needing access to a toilet, listing residents who make their utilities available, with description and price. Laurendine told the New York Post in January that New York City is a promising market (though his two best cities are New Orleans and Antwerp, Belgium). The prices vary from free to $20, and the facilities range from a sweetsmelling room stocked with reading material to a barely maintained toilet (with no lavatory), but, said one supplier, sometimes people “really need to go, and this will have to do.”

GOVERNMENT IN ACTION —Kentucky, one of America’s financially worse-off states, annually spends $2 million of taxpayer money on salaries and expenses for 41 “jailers” who have no jails to manage.

Research by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting in January noted that Kentucky’s constitution requires “elected” jailers, notwithstanding that 41 counties have shut down their jails and house detainees elsewhere via contracts with sheriffs. (Though the jailers may be called upon to transport prisoners from time to time, the 41 counties are mostly small ones with few detainees.)

THREE BEARS TODAY THURS. - M4W (CHUGIAK) hi there lady in black. :) you had beautiful face and gorgeous black hair. we smiled with eye contact. then a few lanes down we were checking each other out. if ya see this let me know what you think. maybe a secret meeting????? i say yes.:)) YOU ALWAYS MAKE MY NIGHT - W4M (VALLEY) When you come to my work, you always make my night. You’re very mysterious and quiet. However, I like that. Im very aware this is vague but without knowing your marital status I do not want to put any specifics I am not trying to cause you any drama.

You have dark hair, dark eyes, you wear a hat.

February 5 - February 11, 2015

Several jailers have full-time “side” jobs, and one jail-less jailer employs five deputies while another has 11 part-timers.

—A.K. Verma was an “assistant executive engineer” working for India’s central public works department in 1990 with 10 years on the job when he went on leave —and had still not returned by the end of 2014, when the government finally fired him. He had submitted numerous requests for extensions during the ensuing 24 years, but all were denied, though no agency or court managed to force him back to work. (India’s bureaucracy is generally acknowledged to be among the most dysfunctional in Asia.)

BY CHUCK SHEPHERD

ace (which became the St. Petersburg Times Forum and is now Amalie Arena). Thus, St. Petersblog wrote, “do the math,” concluding that the Tampa Bay Times was pressured to sell its own headquarters building in order to pay for the 12-year privilege of being able to name someone else’s building.

LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS Not Well-Thought-Out: (1) Shane Lindsey, 32, allegedly robbed the Citizens Bank in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 14 and ran off down the street, but was arrested about 15 minutes later a few blocks away, having stopped off at Eazer’s Restaurant IRONIES and Deli to order chicken and biscuits. (2) Jeffrey Wood, 19, was —Timothy DeFoggi, 56, was sentenced in January to 25 years in arrested in the act of robbing a 7-Eleven in Northeast Washingprison on child pornography charges—unable to keep his illicit ton, D.C., on Jan. 10—because two plainclothes detectives were in online transactions hidden from law-enforcement authorities. Be- the store at the time (though the police badge of one was hanging fore his conviction, he was acting director for cyber security in the from a chain around her neck). As soon as the man announced, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and, one would “This is a stickup,” the detective drew her gun and yelled, “Stop assume (wrongly), an accomplished user of security software. playing. I got 17” (meaning a gun with 17 bullets).

—After a heavy snowstorm in Frankfort, Kentucky (the state capital), in November, with many absences reported, the state la- RECURRING THEMES bor policy agency (called the Labor Cabinet) was among the agen—In weird-news (and medical) literature, the rectum is a place cies needing snow removal at its headquarters more promptly than for storage of contraband (and, occasionally, for getting things overworked cleanup crews could provide. A call was circulated for undesirably lodged). In what a National Post of Canada reporter volunteers to go outside and shovel snow, but that job was appar- believes is a brand-new example of the former, a gastroenteroloently too laborious for the labor agency; there was only one taker. gist at Vancouver’s St. Paul’s hospital found a vial of urine inside —The Tampa Bay Times (formerly St. Petersburg Times), reeling a man who reported to the ER with abdominal pains. According financially as many newspapers are, pledged several properties it to the doctor’s medical journal case description, the rectum was owns (including its downtown headquarters) to borrow $30 mil- chosen in order to keep the urine at body temperature for an imlion last year from a distressed-property lender and now announc- minent methadone clinic drug test, which, if the urine passed es an intention to pay back that loan by selling the “clean,” would have entitled the man to the privilege of “take-home” properties. As re- methadone that he could either bank for later use or sell on the ported by the local street. (He feared the loss of privilege, though, if the urine tested St. Petersblog at room temperature.)

—Rose Ann Bolasny, 60, of Great Neck, New York, last year created a trust fund for her 3-year-old Maltese (dog), Bella Mia, that will allow spending $100,000 a year on fashions and spa treatments so that Bolasny can pamper “the daughter I never had.” Bella Mia reportedly has 1,000 outfits in her custom-made walk-in closet, including ball gowns, along with diamond and pearl jewelry, and she sleeps on her own double bed. Previous News of the Weird reports of ridiculously rich dogs involved inheritances, but Bolasny still lives with her husband and has two adult sons (who are said to be fine with their mother’s intention to will Bella Mia a house in Florida if she outlives Bolasny and her 82-year-old husband). (By the way, the average annual income for a human being in Bangladesh website, the is the equivalent of about $380.) sore-thumb loan was almost exactly A NEWS OF THE WEIRD CLASSIC (JULY 2011) the amount the On May 21 (2011), Jesse Robinson either established or tied the Times paid in 2002 unofficial world record for unluckiest underage drinker of all time for “naming rights” to when he was booked into the Hamilton County, Ohio, jail for unthe Tampa concert-and- derage consumption. According to booking records, Robinson’s hockey venue, the Ice Pal- date of birth is May 22, 1990. n

Thanks for the smile.

- a shy person who finds you attractive.

CAPTAIN AMERICA - M4M - 28 body : athletic height : 5’11” (180cm) You were at the gym tonight wearing a captain america shirt but there was more than one guy wearing a captain america shirt so hit me up with a body pic i’ll know which one it is based on tattoos. I’m a discreet bi straight acting guy looking for the same to be buds with and mess around with from time to time. We are about the same age, you’re probably a couple years younger than me.

I’m also pretty muscular and attractive.

MC: DOWNTOWN - M4W - 45 (DOWNTOWN) age : 45 body : athletic : large I still want you more than ever. . I want you so terribly bad I can taste

you, and have had these thoughts since that cold day of our first exchange. Give me a sign and I will start planning a very discrete rendezvous. None the less I will see you one more time. MM YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE - M4W (ANCHORAGE) Intentionally vague, because I can be. And because if you wanted to talk, you would’ve. I still feel horrible and I never meant to do what I did. Actually, I never intended for your reaction, I did mean to do what I did. But, I still feel badly, and I don’t want anything from you, I just want to say sorry again. Sometimes, randomly, I just feel awful, and I want to ask for forgiveness, but that would up the creepy factor. So, I’m sorry and I hope things are good in your world. That’s it. Why are you still reading this? The post is over, move along. Why are you loitering? I will

summon the constable! Go! Fin! Bye! Can’t take a hint, huh? Well I’m done talking! I got nothing more to say, so leave! You fucking with me? Leave!

Really? Well, you might as well talk about yourse......hey! Wait! I see what you did there! Not tricking me into tricking you into a conversation! I said my part and now it’s done. Go back to your world and I’ll go back to mine. I’m sorry, please know that.

AK CLUB WEST CARDIO MOTIVATION M4W (ANCHORAGE) body : athletic height : 6’4” (193cm) We talk daily. I still haven’t gotten your name. There’s no way you aren’t married, but just letting you know you are the reason I go every morning between 9:30-10 and would probably skip cardio if it wasn’t for you giving me shit about it.

If you believe you know who this is and/or think this is about you, reply with something we’ve talked about in the subject :) CAR WASH MT VIEW - W4M I was there washing my blue truck, you work there and opened the big door for me. Thought you were cute.

Let me know the color of my hoodie so i know its you :)

Have you seen someone you just can’t get off your mind? Has someone seen you? Drop us a line at isawyou@anchoragepress.com (www.sendanonymousemail.net is one way to go about it), fax 561-7777 or stick it in our slot at 540 E. 5th Ave.

35

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

tant influence in your own life -- someone who has given you much and touched you deeply?

Don’t do it for nostalgia’s sake, but rather as a way to affirm that the gifts you’ve received from this evocative influence will continue to evolve within you. Keep them ever-fresh.

Amena Divine – PSYCHIC ADVISOR PSYCHIC TAROT READINGS 28 years of experience

907-243-0988 MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): In 1753, Benjamin Franklin published helpful instructions on how to avoid being struck by lightning during stormy weather. Wear a lightning rod in your hat, he said, and attach it to a long, thin metal ribbon that trails behind you as you walk. In response to his article, a fashion fad erupted. Taking his advice, fancy ladies in Europe actually wore such hats. From a metaphorical perspective, it would make sense for you Aquarians to don similar headwear in the coming weeks. Bolts of inspiration will be arriving on a regular basis. To ensure you are able to integrate and use them—not just be titillated and agitated—you will have to be wellgrounded.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): According to the Bible, Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Author David Foster Wallace added a caveat.

“The truth will set you free,” he wrote, “but not until it is finished with you.” All this is apropos for the current phase of your journey, Pisces. By my estimation, you will soon discover an important truth that you have never before been ready to grasp. Once that magic transpires, however, you will have to wait a while until the truth is fully finished with you. Only then will it set you free. But it will set you free. And I suspect that you will ultimately be grateful that it took its sweet time.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): In 1979, Monty Python comedian John Cleese helped direct a four-night extravaganza, The Secret Policeman’s Ball. It was a benefit to raise money for the human rights organization Amnesty International. The musicians known as Sting, Bono, and Peter Gabriel later testified that the show was a key factor in igniting their social activism. I see the potential of a comparable stimulus in your near future, Aries. Imminent developments could amp up your passion for a good cause that transcends your immediate self-interests.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): In the film Kill Bill: Volume 1, Taurus actress Uma Thurman plays a martial artist who has exceptional skill at wielding a Samurai sword.

At one point, her swordmaker evaluates her reflexes by hurling a baseball in her direction.

With a masterful swoop, she slices the ball in half before it reaches her. I suggest you seek out similar tests in the coming days, Taurus. Check up on the current status of your top skills. Are any of them rusty? Should you update them?

Are they still of maximum practical use to you?

Do whatever’s necessary to ensure they are as strong and sharp as ever.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): French Impressionist painter Claude Monet loved to paint the rock formations near the beach at Étretrat, a village in Normandy. During the summer of 1886, he worked serially on six separate canvases, moving from one to another throughout his work day to capture the light and shadow as they changed with the weather and the position of the sun. He focused intently on one painting at a time. He didn’t have a brush in each hand and one in his mouth, simultaneously applying paint to various canvases. His specific approach to multitasking would generate good results for you in the coming weeks, Gemini. (P.S. The other kind of multitasking—where you do several different things at the same time—will yield mostly mediocre results.)

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): In 1849, author Edgar Allen Poe died in his hometown of Baltimore. A century later, a mysterious admirer began a new tradition. Every January 19, on the anniversary of Poe’s birth, this cloaked visitor appeared at his grave in the early morning hours, and left behind three roses and a bottle of cognac. I invite you, Cancerian, to initiate a comparable ritual. Can you imagine paying periodic tribute to an impor-

36

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): “What happens to a dream deferred?” asked Langston Hughes in his poem “Harlem.” “Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore—And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over—like a syrupy sweet?” As your soul’s cheerleader and coach, Leo, I hope you won’t explore the answer to Hughes’ questions. If you have a dream, don’t defer it. If you have been deferring your dream, take at least one dramatic step to stop deferring it.

Are you curious about what your future has in store for you?

www.amenadivine.com

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Virgo author John Creasey struggled in his early efforts at getting published. For a time he had to support himself with jobs as a salesman and clerk. Before his first book was published, he had gathered 743 rejection slips. Eventually, though, he broke through and achieved monumental success. He wrote more than 550 novels, several of which were made into movies. He won two prestigious awards and sold 80 million books. I’m not promising that your own frustrations will ultimately pave the way for a prodigious triumph like his. But in the coming months, I do expect significant progress toward a gritty accomplishment. For best results, work for your own satisfaction more than for the approval of others.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Hall-of-Fame basketball player Hakeem Olajuwon had a signature set of fancy moves that were collectively known as the Dream Shake.

It consisted of numerous spins and fakes and moves that could be combined in various ways to outfox his opponents and score points. The coming weeks would be an excellent time for you to work on your equivalent of the Dream Shake, Libra. You’re at the peak of your ability to figure out how to coordinate and synergize your several talents.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): In 1837, Victoria became Queen of England following the death of her uncle, King William IV. She was 18 years old. Her first royal act was to move her bed out of the room she had long shared with her meddling, overbearing mother.

I propose that you use this as one of your guiding metaphors in the immediate future. Even if your parents are saints, and even if you haven’t lived with them for years, I suspect you would benefit by upgrading your independence from their influence. Are you still a bit inhibited by the nagging of their voices in your head? Does your desire to avoid hurting them thwart you from rising to a higher level of authority and authenticity? Be a good-natured rebel.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): The crookedest street in the world is a oneway, block-long span of San Francisco’s Lombard Street. It consists of eight hairpin turns down a very steep hill. The recommended top speed for a car is five miles per hour. So on the one hand, you’ve got to proceed with caution.

On the other hand, the quaint, brick-paved road is lined with flower beds, and creeping along its wacky route is a whimsical amusement. I suspect you will soon encounter experiences that have metaphorical resemblances to Lombard Street, Sagittarius. In fact, I urge you to seek them out.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): In the baseball film The Natural, the hero Roy Hobbs has a special bat he calls “Wonderboy.”

Carved out of a tree that was split by a lightning bolt, it seems to give Hobbs an extraordinary skill at hitting a baseball. There’s a similar theme at work in the Australian musical instrument known as the didgeridoo. It’s created from a eucalyptus tree whose inner wood has been eaten away by termites. Both Wonderboy and the didgeridoo are the results of natural forces that could be seen as adverse but that are actually useful. Is there a comparable situation in your own life, Capricorn? I’m guessing there is.

If you have not yet discovered what it is, now is a good time to do so. n

TO ADVERTISE737 561-7 February 5 - February 11, 2015

LOVE WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

BY DAN SAVAGE My husband and I are a straight couple in our early 50s, and we’ve been married for more than 30 years. We were raised to wait for sex till we got married—this was back in the early ‘80s—and we did. Our wedding night was pretty disappointing since neither of us knew what we were doing. He got off, but I didn’t. We both assumed that there was something wrong with me, because he didn’t have any problem coming, right? We were both raised to believe that sex was something men took from women, that it was difficult for women to orgasm, and that no woman wanted sex as much as a man did. We read books, we went to counseling, but nothing changed. This went on for a couple of decades. He’s a great guy—funny, loyal, faithful, great dad to our kids—so I figured I was lousy in bed and I was lucky he put up with me. Recently, I got my hands on a vibrator. OH. MY. GOD. There’s nothing wrong with me! Now I think my libido might actually be stronger than his. But even with what I now know about my sexuality, we have been unable to figure out how to get me to orgasm when we are together. I’ve suggested some milder forms of kink, but he isn’t interested. I suspect we’re just incompatible in bed, which has made me a fairly vocal opponent of the “waiting for marriage” garbage, much to my husband’s consternation. He thinks it’s so sweet that neither of us has ever had sex with someone else. So you can probably see my dilemma.

Neither of us has ever been unfaithful, and neither of us is okay with being unfaithful—I know he isn’t.

Even though I’m intrigued by the idea, I don’t think I could pull off the lying and deceit required to do it behind his back. We also live in a small town where it would be nearly impossible to have a discreet affair. I don’t really want a divorce, because it means losing the entire life we’ve built together, which is no small thing. But when I think about never having good sex in my entire life, I can hardly stand it.

What would you do?

Bored In Bed For An Unbearably Long Time What would I do? I would be unfaithful, BIBFAULT. And since there’s no guarantee that I would click sexually with the first guy I fucked other than my husband—or the second guy or the third guy or the fourth guy—I would go right on fucking other guys until I fucked a guy who was spectacular in bed. (Please note: While “spectacular in bed” sounds like some sort of objective standard, it’s actually a highly subjective and personal experience. One person’s spectacular sex partner is another person’s meh-to-traumatizing sex partner. So while BIBFAULT and her husband aren’t a match—clearly—he has matches out there and so does she.)

I’m not telling you what to do, BIBFAULT, I’m just answering the question you posed: “What would you do?” If I were in your shoes, if I had suffered through three decades of subjectively lousy sex, if I were staring down the possibility of going to my grave without ever having experienced good-to-great sex (not even once!), I would cheat on my husband of 30 years. I would’ve cheated on him already, past tense, a decade or two ago and probably at regular intervals. (I also would’ve sued all those counselors who failed to suggest buying a vibrator when I complained about my difficulty achieving orgasm.)

But that’s me, BIBFAULT. What should you do? I really couldn’t tell you.

That’s not true. I could tell you what to do. Telling people what to do is pretty much my fucking job. But in all honesty, I’m not sure what you should do. You say you’re not okay with cheating, and I almost believe you—you wouldn’t have written if you weren’t okay with cheating on some level and/or seeking permission to cheat—and cheating would be logistically complicated, given your circumstances, and it would put everything you have with your husband, who you genuinely love,

February 5 - February 11, 2015

at risk. So I’m not going to tell you to cheat.

But I will tell you this: You may have an easier time not cheating—an easier time not going out there and actively seeking out sex with other men, an easier time not seizing the first opportunity to cheat that comes your way—if you give yourself permission to cheat if an opportunity to cheat discreetly and with minimal deceit comes along.

Telling yourself it will never happen, that you’ll never have good sex, means living in despair, and despair isn’t good for individuals or marriages. But telling yourself that it might happen— but only if the planets have all aligned perfectly (you’re out of town, it’s someone you trust, you won’t have to actively lie)—means living in hope, and hope is good for individuals and marriages.

And knowing that you can cheat when the right opportunity presents itself will make it easier for you to resist cheating—to resist doing something reckless—when the wrong opportunities present themselves.

My wife, who is 35, had sex with a 25-year-old neighbor when she was barely 15 years old. (It was two days after her 15th birthday.) I should say “was raped by,” not “had sex with.” She insists it was consensual, claims she wasn’t traumatized by it, and is actually Facebook friends with the man who raped her. I think this is unhealthy. How do I get through to her?

Totally Unacknowledged Trauma I had sex with someone in their mid-20s when I was 15—I had sex with two mid-20s someones at the same time when I was 15—and I regard that encounter as consensual and I wasn’t traumatized by it. So you can take this question to some other advice columnist, TUT, or you can stop policing your wife’s feelings about her own sexual history.

I’m a merrily married straight woman with an amazing husband and what was once a thriving sex life. Recently, my husband had what was supposed to have been a routine surgical procedure. He ended up having basically every complication possible, short of dismemberment and death. I had no problem being his caregiver during this time, but I’m now having trouble mentally reigniting the erotic spark. He’s recovered and interested, and I want to be intimate again, but I find myself thinking that he looks pale or that position X might be too much for him, and it’s very difficult to get in, and remain in, the mood for sex. How do I turn off caregiver mode and get back to being a sexual partner?

Missing My Sex Life The next time you’re having sex and that little voice in your head says, “This position might be tough on him,” MMSL, ignore it and power through. It may not be particularly fulfilling sex for you—you may not be fully present and in the moment—but the quickest way to prove to yourself that your husband isn’t too fragile for sex (or too pale for it) is to have sex a few times.

After you’ve seen with your own eyes that sex didn’t break him (and may have brought some color back to his skin!), that little voice in your head—the voice of the caretaker he needed when he was sick but doesn’t need now—should fade away. n

37

ALL PHOTOS BY LEIF RAMOS

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