Make A Scene Magazine June 2014

MAGAZINE

NAVARRE Wasilla’s Own Jared Navarre

Releases Debut Solo CD PAGE 14

PAGE 3

Go to www.ideafamilies.org to learn more and enroll or call your local IDEA Office at 357-4850

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Where will the adventure take you?

A few of the benefits of joining IDEA * Support for parents’ choice in curriculum * Computer, printer and free tech support by certified techs * Student allotments for school supplies and lessons * Local office with friendly staff, library, and resource room

JUNE 2014

* IDEA is the largest statewide homeschool program with over 3,600 students enrolled. * IDEA is fully accredited and provides caring certified teachers to assist parents with student progress. * Because IDEA is a public school, IDEA is completely free! Enrollment for 2014/2015 is OPEN now!

The ONLY program homeschool with its in the nation pter! own FFA cha

Community

Get in the

Giant Cabbage Growing Game

Registration Open for 2014 Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off PRESS RELEASE From Alaska State Fair Palmer, Alaska – Registration is now open for the 2014 Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off at the Alaska State Fair. The 19th annual event takes place Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m. in Farm Exhibits on the fairgrounds. The weigh-off registration deadline is Friday, August 22 at 4:30 p.m. The registration form

and all the event details are available on the Fair website, alaskastatefair.org.

Contestants have a chance to win more than $4,000 in prizes, including the $2,000 first-place prize. Young growers can also compete for the Max Sherrod Junior Cabbage Grower’s Award, sponsored by Alaska Farm Bureau and open to youth ages 6 – 12.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 19

PAGE 5

Community

By Denise Statz, Event Coordinator

Sometimes a perfect blend of the right people in just the right place at exactly the right time transpires to create an unforgettable day. That blend came together in Palmer recently, resulting in the 4th annual WHO LET THE GIRLS OUT.

> THE PERFECT SPONSORS…

with thanks and gratitude to the City of Palmer, IBEW Local 1547, Make a Scene, Country Legends 100.9, Mat Su Valley Frontiersman, By the Spirit Photography, Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, MTA, Vagabond Blues and Purple Moose Espresso, Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc., Mat Su Plastic Surgery, Excel Physical Therapy, Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce, Dalrymple Law, P.C., Sea Star Strategies, and Palmer Senior Citizens Center, Inc/Mat-Su Senior Services, for your generous support of this event and for all you do in our community!

> THE PERFECT VOLUNTEERS….HOORAY!

the town was buzzing with activity and there was dancing, if not on the streets - at least on the sidewalks! Thanks to all of the local shops and restaurants that opened their doors with a special flourish as part of WHO LET THE GIRLS OUT to welcome the crowds and the new spring season!

Palmer businesses restaurants and shops are local to the core, with the finest services and products in the state.

To the many guests that make Palmer their destination for the events we have come to be known for, and for day to day business, our gratitude and dedication to that quality - and to you - remains the rock solid base of our business community.

Hurry back, stop in and say hi, and make plans to join us for year five of WHO LET THE GIRLS OUT early next spring!

JUNE 2014

for Richelle Plummer, Brenna Hughes, Sabrina Combs, Annie Prevost, Cheryl Risley, Sandra Peterson, Lisa Carrick, Josh Fryfogle and Judy Gross, an amazing and reliable group of people can sure get a LOT done! Personal thanks to each and every one of you for the time and energy you put in to an event you could otherwise just attend!

> THE PERFECT PLACE….

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Thank You!

Community

Su’z Alaska

Gift Shop

Open House Celebration > June 28, 2014 – July 5, 2014 > 11am -6pm

June is a wonderful month for celebration and SUZ’S ALASKA GIFT SHOP will celebrate its’ one year anniversary from June 28 through July 5, 2014 with the community and visitors.

Many of you have seen Sue at local craft shows and markets over the past years and she has now enthusiastically opened up a retail site of local Alaskan made art, food and crafts. The shop strives to offer a competitive retail environment where local artists can display their products and where customers can always find quality, predominately Alaskan, hand made products for their family, friends and guests.

As for her own line of natural healthcare products, Sue Nelson became interested in natural soy candles because family medical reasons prevented the use of paraffin candles due to the chemical toxins and soot released while burning. And so began her thorough researching of natural waxes and the benefits of soy products. After an extensive study, she trained with a New York based company on the art of properly

mixing, pouring and curing natural soy container and pillar candles. The benefits of natural soy products fuels Sue’s passion and determination to offer the purest natural soy products.

Su’z Alaska is a family run business – everyone in the family is included in the creation of unique fragrances, packaging and marketing of Su’z Alaska natural spa products. Being artistic by nature, Sue loves the freedom and the beauty of hand pouring and decorating 100% soy candles, soaps, tarts, body butter, and designing one-of –a- kind products and gift baskets.

Su’z Alaska natural spa products contain natural ingredients like sweet almond oil, soy bean oil and premiumgrade fragrances. This combination allows the relaxation and healing properties of each element to combine providing a premium product you are sure to love.

Almond oil is widely used in aromatherapy and massage. It is easily absorbed and is the best therapy for conditioning the skin by improving the complexion, reviving a natural glow and giving a younger look. It also helps to ease itching and inflammation and provides quick relief of muscle pain.

Community

First

Anniversary OPEN HOUSE Saturday, June 28

Su’z Alaska Gift Shop Open House Celebration

CONTINUED Soybean oil hydrates and protects skin cells while softening dry, chaffed and damaged skin. All of Su’z Alaska products are handmade in Alaska.

Along with her own products, the Gift Shop offers a location for local arts, crafts and food items to be displayed and sold.

Browse and entice your senses with the beautiful aroma of local Alaskan roasted coffee while sampling a delightful piece of locally made brittle. Also available are jellies, jams, barbeque sauce and local raw honey.

Shop to your heart’s content from a selection of Alaskan made home décor, artwork, hand turned wooden bowls and birch trays, hand painted glassware, Alaska Native art, clothing, local books and so much more. Items are limited and at times, one of a kind.

Su’z Alaska Gift Shop OPEN HOUSE will feature local resident and rustic furniture artist, Debbie Filter from Trapper Creek. Debbie’s years in Alaska have significantly influenced her art form and expanded her artistic abilities. Debbie utilizes a

variety of natural resources. She builds yard art and conducts classes in rustic furniture building, creating wood crafted items using birch, birch bark, burled wood, diamond willow and fur.

Debbie will be demonstrating and assembling a full size chair. Along with her demonstration, she will have pieces available for sale and a calendar of classes. Don’t miss this grand opportunity to see Debbie at work. Debbie’s demonstration begins at 1pm on Saturday 6/28.

Bring your friends and family for a day of fun, shop and browse the local Wasilla City Market on Saturday, while joining Su’z Alaska Gift Shop for a full day of fun, food and coffee sampling, prizes and discounts.

> Su’z is conveniently located

at 1451 E Parks Hwy in the Lakeside Plaza, Suite 102 off the Frontage Road in front of Pet Zoo.

> For your convenience the

Gift Shop is open Tuesday thru Saturday, 11am-6 pm

GIFT SHOP GIFT SHOP

First Anniversary First

Anniversary OPEN HOUSE Saturday, June 28

JUNE 15-JULY 15 SHOP SPECIALS: Open House Events include: GIFT SHOP

Su’z Alaska Sampling of local Alaskan Roasted All Natural Soy MELTS now $5 First Coffees, packaged for gift giving or Open House Events include: AK Coffee Corner Anniversary taking home!

Sampling of local Alaskan Roasted 20% off 12 oz Coffee package HOUSE Coffees, packaged for gift giving or SamplingOPEN of pickled Salmon & taking home!

All Alaska Products Saturday, Halibut by Picked2Perfection. A of pickled Salmon & 20% off Sampling Moose Nugget items 28Recipe. Buy proud Alaska June Native Halibut by Picked2Perfection. A Pickled2Perfection yours before it is all gone! proud Alaska Native Recipe. Buy 40% off all salmon and halibut Book signings by Laurel Bill author yours before it is all gone!

Book signings Rogue Ravenby Laurel Bill author of the Aunt Phyllis's Trunk series FEATURING LOCAL ofoff theall Aunt Phyllis's Trunk series clothing RUSTIC and Chef Suzette Lord,FURNITURE author of 20%and Chef Suzette Lord, author of ARTIST Alaskan and International cookAlaskan Gifts and Alaskan andSouvenirs!

International cookDEBBIE FILTER books. books.

FROM TRAPPER Meet and Greet with the shop Meet and Greet withCREEK the shop vendors - ask about their art!

Demonstration vendors - ask about their art!begins Door prizes entry for every $20 at 1:00pm. purchased!

Door prizes entry forand every Watch learn$20 while Debbie assembles a chair out of birch and Pick Your Discount drawing. purchased! willow branches. Browse her baskets, Wasilla Saturday Market - Enjoy Pick Yourdog Discount miniature sleds and drawing. chairs available and browse local food and vendors. for sale.

Take home a one-of-a-kind piece Wasilla Saturday Market - Enjoy demonstration begins at 1:00PM Sign up for classes like making and browseand locallearn food and vendors.

Rustic Furniture with a Debbie, glass Watch while Debbie assembles chair JUNE 15-JULY 15 SHOP SPECIALS: painting with Maggie and candle Sign up for classes like making out of birch and willow branches.

Browse her Su’z Alaska making with Sue! Rustic All Furniture Debbie, Natural Soywith MELTS now $5 glass baskets, miniature dog sleds and chairs available AK Maggie Coffee Corner painting with and candle - - - - - - - - - - 20% offtake oz Coffee packagea one-of-a-kind Su’z Alaska Gift Shop for sale. home piece! making with 12 Sue! www.facebook.com/suzalaska

OPEN HOUSE Saturday, June 28th

FEATURING LOCAL RUSTIC FURNITURE ARTIST DEBBIE FILTER FROM TRAPPER CREEK Demonstration begins at 1:00pm.

Watch and learn while Debbie assembles a chair out of birch and willow branches. Browse her baskets, miniature dog sleds and chairs available for sale. Take home a one-of-a-kind piece JUNE 15-JULY 15 SHOP SPECIALS: Su’z Alaska All Natural Soy MELTS now $5 AK Coffee Corner 20% off 12 oz Coffee package

FeatUring local rUstic FUrnitUre artist debbie filter From trapper creek

All Alaska Products 20% off Moose Nugget items

All Alaska Products 20% off Moose Nugget items

- - Pickled2Perfection - - - - - - - - 40% all salmon andShop halibut Su’zoffAlaska Gift Rogue Raven www.facebook.com/suzalaska 20% off all clothing suzaksoy@yahoo.com

Pickled2Perfection 40% off all salmon and halibut

Open Tuesday-Saturday 11am—6pm

Alaskan Gifts and Souvenirs!

suzaksoy@yahoo.com

Open Tuesday-Saturday 11am—6pm Located at 1451 E. Parks Highway, Suite 102 In the Lakeside Center by Pet Zoo

OPEN HOUSE EVENTS INCLUDE: Rogue Raven 20% off all clothing

Alaskan Gifts and Souvenirs!

“Su’z Alaska is a family run business – everyone in the family is included in the creation of unique fragrances, packaging and marketing of Su’z Alaska natural spa products.”

FEATURING LOCAL RUSTIC FURNITURE ARTIST DEBBIE FILTER FROM TRAPPER CREEK Demonstration begins at 1:00pm.

Watch and learn while Debbie assembles a chair out of birch and willow branches. Browse her baskets, miniature dog sleds and chairs available for sale. Take home a one-of-a-kind piece

R Sampling of local Alaska Roasted Coffees, packaged for gift giving or taking home!

R Sampling of pickled Salmon & Halibut by Pickled2Perfection. A proud Alaska Native Recipe. Buy yours before it is all gone!

Meet R Suite Located at 1451 E. Parks Highway, 102 and Greet with the In the Lakeside Center byshop Pet Zoo vendors - ask about their art!

R Book Signings by Laurel Bill, author of the Aunt Phil’s Trunk series and Chef Suzette Lord, author of Alaskan and International cookbooks.

R Wasilla Saturday Market - Enjoy and browse local food and vendors.

R Sign Up For Classes like making Rustic Furniture with Debbie, glass painting with Maggie and candle making with Sue! R Door Prize Entry with every $20 purchase.

R Pick Your Discount drawing.

L

PAGE 8 www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR >>

Palmer Lions Club weekly on each Tuesday June 17, 2014 12 noon John Snelders, June 24, 2014 6pm Annual Investiture Meeting Tuesdays at 12 noon Palmer Lions Club c/o Palmer Moose Lodge Palmer Moose Lodge 7165 Alaska Street Palmer AK 99645 Lunch is $11.00 Meetings are Free 907-761-3750 Workshop: What is Crowdfunding?

Tuesday, June 17 - 10am-11:30am Alaska Small Business Development Center 430 W 7th Ave STE 110 - $15.00 907-274-7232 - www.aksbdc.org

JUNE 2014

Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit Class Wednesday, Jun 18 6:00p to 9:30p Wasilla Area Senior Center - WASI Wasilla - Price $199.00 Age Suitability 21 and up Workshop: Business Lending and SBA Business Loan Facts Wednesday, June 18 - 12pm-1pm AK Small Business Development Center 430 W 7th Ave STE 110 - FREE Alaska Small Business Development Center 907-274-7232 - www.aksbdc.org

Final and Official Ribbon Cutting - Valley Community for Recycling Solutions June 18 - 11 am - 7 pm Valley Community for Recycling Solutions - FREE 907-745-5544 Workshop: Workers Compensation Seminar Wednesday, June 18 10am-11:30am 430 W 7th Ave STE 110 - FREE Alaska Small Business Development Center 907-274-7232 - www.aksbdc.org

“The Lightning Bug” Stage Production Friday June 20, Sat. June 21, Friday June 27 Saturday June 28 Friday 7 pm, Saturday 2pm & 7pm Alaska Club Wasilla 1720 E Parks Hwy Wasilla, Ak Adults $12, Senior, Child, Military $10 www.akhams.org or at the door.

(Homeless Actors of Mat-Su) 907-841-4119 - www.akhams.org

Griffith’s Warped Tour Kickoff Show June 20 - 8 pm - 12 pm $5.00 - Chilkoot Charlie’s - Anchorage Denali Destroyer Dolls Roller Derby!

June 19, 26 - 6:30 pm MTA Events Center Palmer, AK The Crystal Method June 20 - 10 pm - 1 am Chilkoot Charlies, Anchorage $25 Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival June 19-22, 2014 Seldovia, AK Workshop: How to Write a Business Plan Thursday, June 19 12pm-4pm 430 W 7th Ave STE 110 - $50.00 Alaska Small Business Development Center 907-274-7232 - www.aksbdc.org

Midnight Sun Charity Golf Classic June 20 Settler’s Bay Golf Course

Downtown Summer Solstice Festival June 21, 2014 12noon - 6 pm Downtown Anchorage The Solstice Festival takes place on 4th Avenue between C - L Streets 6th. Annual Tribal Celebration & Health Fair Sat., June 21st 11am-4pm - Raven Hall Alaska State Fair Grounds, Palmer FREE - Chickaloon Village Traditional Council & Knik Tribal Council 907-745-0704

Headlocks For Heroes Sat, June 21 2:30 - 4 pm Hope For Heroes, Inc. 700 N Wasilla-Fishhook Rd., Wasilla 33rd Annual Midnight Sun Festival June 22, 2014 12 noon - 12 midnight Downtown Fairbanks 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Avenues Workshop: Profit Mastery: Limited Time Offer Tuesday, June 24 & Thursday, June 24 8am-5pm - Alaska Small Business Development Center 430 W 7th Ave STE 110 - $200.00 907-274-7232 - www.aksbdc.org

PAGE 9

Community

You? What Inspires

People tend to operate more from a fear of pain than a pursuit of pleasure, so they say. Wouldn’t we rather pursue that which we enjoy, rather than simply avoiding that which causes us grief or stress?

Recently at a Toastmasters meeting we discussed the topic, “What Inspires You?” When we purpose to do something to improve ourselves and improve our lives, it is helpful to keep in mind the positive outcomes we seek. What is our motivation?

Or, more specifically, what is our positive motivation?

Who will give me affirming as well as helpful, specific feedback on my speech, something beyond the normal “Good job”? How would you like to feel confident and able to handle any situation that requires speaking, as well as leadership?

There are these and many more ways that Toastmasters can help you achieve those loftier goals and aspirations we have for our lives.

> So what does inspire you?

What is it you would like to accomplish in your life?

Consider how Toastmasters can help.

JUNE 2014

Speaking of doing something to improve ourselves and our lives, consider how Toastmasters can help you do just that. I think Toastmasters is probably the best-kept secret for how to systematically improve your speaking and leadership skills, and it’s extremely affordable to boot!

Would you like to advance in your company or your career? Would you like to feel more comfortable speaking to groups of people, both in prepared statements as well as “off the cuff”? How can one go about gaining leadership skills, and what are those skills, exactly, anyway?

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

By Kelly Caraway, Toastmasters

PAGE 10 www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Weddings Do you know that years ago the Bachelor Party was known as “Stag Night” and for the ladies the party was known as “Hen Night”?

The Corner Link: Bachelor Parties

By Donna Turner

Do you know that years ago the Bachelor Party was known as “Stag Night” and for the ladies the party was known as “Hen Night”?

Years ago “Stag Night”, now known as a Bachelor Party, was held where only males were allowed. This party was originally held for the groom to ward off evil spirits before the wedding.

Around the time of Charles II the “Hen Night”, now known as the Bachelorette Party, was thought to have been introduced to allow the bride’s friends and family to examine the bride’s property. After the marriage the Bride’s belongings became the groom’s property. (Wow, how times have changed!)

JUNE 2014

The trees are blooming; the birds are singing; the newspaper society sections are thick with marriage announcements. As the last soggy weeks of spring give way to the balmy days of summer, wedding season has arrived — and with it, an onslaught of bachelor parties. With an estimated 2.2 million weddings in the U.S. each year, providing for the groom’s send-off is big business. Dozens of websites cater to the needs of the bachelor-party planner (typically, the groom’s best man).

The bachelor party, however, goes back much further than you’d expect. It’s rooted in ancient history as early as the 5th century B.C. It is

believed that the ancient Spartans were the first to make a celebration out of the groom’s last night as a single man. Spartan soldiers held a dinner in their friend’s honor and made toasts on his behalf with, one assumes, a Spartan sense of decorum. Since then, the events have generally grown more raucous.

The term bachelor has a previous meaning of “a young knight or a student with a bachelor’s degree”. This term first appeared in reference to an unmarried man in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in the 14th century. The term bachelor party didn’t appear until 1922.

In the past, a bachelor party could commonly involve a black-tie dinner hosted by the groom’s father, with toasts to the groom and the bride.

The more recent traditions of hazing, humiliation and debauchery will often consume entire weekends and some involve travel to an exotic destination such as Las Vegas. Some men now opt for “groom’s showers,” in which they acquire their own dowry of foosball tables and power tools.

During the 1960s, women launched their own version of the pre-wedding festivities: the bachelorette party. Prior to the late 19th century, women were limited to bridal showers, the main function of which was to acquire a dowry and gifts to prepare them for marriage.

The bachelorette party serves as sort of a rite of passage for the bride as she goes from being a “girl” to womanhood and a married life. While

women have been getting together for many years to celebrate the last night of the single woman, it wasn’t until perhaps the 1990’s when we began to see the term bachelorette party being used on a regular basis.

It is estimated that some 90% of all brides will have a bachelorette party in some form or another, whether it’s an in house get together of a few friends to an all out night on the town complete with a van or a limo. There have been bachelorette parties known to have 200 or more guests! The early days of the bachelorette party would have the guests of the bridal shower going out for a few drinks afterwards. Today it has evolved into a separate party altogether and has grown massively popular and part of the overall planning of the wedding as a whole.

The bachelorette parties continue to evolve even today adding various games, treasure hunts and other such things to lend fun and excitement to the big night. Many of these parties also have the appearance of a male dancer as well, though the trend seems to point away from that for the most part.

In recent years couples, celebrate their last night together in combined stag and doe parties.

This idea has grown popular as more couples live together and marry later in life. First and foremost, the “party” is an important step in saying goodbye to one’s single life and relieving those pre-wedding jitters.

PAGE 11

E N E C S A E K MA

7

Community

By Randi Perlman

Community members have been very receptive to ‘stepping up to the plate’ when it comes to learning simple ways to help keep Big Lake clean, and they are enjoying the free kits handed out by project volunteers at main launch sites. The “Keep Big Lake Clean” boating kits include a variety of useful and educational items for those who like to recreate on the lake, with tips on how we can all do our part to keep our small leaks and spills out of the lake.

Education is also being conducted and clean boating kits given out at the Little Su River for the Clean Boating on the Little Su program. Fishing and boating season is in full swing in the Mat-Su Valley, and we want to help keep both Big Lake and the Little Su clean for all to enjoy!

Is Catching On!

Through a grant from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) with Cook Inletkeeper, outreach for the Clean Boating on Big Lake and Clean Boating on the Little Su programs will continue throughout this summer and will focus on promoting environmentallyfriendly boating practices by users on busy holiday weekends and around boat launch sites. The Clean Boating outreach is particularly important over long holiday weekends like 4th of July and Labor Day. Boaters and water sports enthusiasts want to protect our shared water resources, and now they are receiving some free, helpful ways to do so. The continuing outreach effort has been a resounding success, and keeping Big Lake and the Little Su clean is catching on! We hope to see you out there this summer, recreating on Big Lake and the Little Su, and helping to keep them clean for everyone to enjoy…!

The Clean Boating on Big Lake and Clean Boating on the Little Su programs are sponsored by a grant from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), administered through Cook Inletkeeper, and managed locally by Mat-Su Conservation Services.

> For more information or to volunteer,

contact Catherine Inman at 841-2226 or check out inletkeeper.org/clean-water/cleanboating/biglake.

JUNE 2014

The Clean Boating on the Little Su program offers a variety of tools and tips to help us all keep the Little Su River clean. The Clean Boating kit contains useful materials on how boaters can do their part to keep the Little Su clean while

Keeping Big Lake And The Little Su Clean

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

The Clean Boating on Big Lake program continues to make a big splash! The program, now in its third season, has been a good first step in educating recreational users of Big Lake about some simple and common-sense ways to help keep gas and oil out of the lake. These include draining your boat’s bilge on land instead of in or near the lake, fueling your boat or jet-ski before you launch – away from the water, and using an absorbent pad to catch your drips.

enjoying their time on the water, and includes a brief survey regarding fueling and boating practices on the river.

Look for us at the Little Su Public Use Facility Launch at Pt. Mackenzie with the free clean boating kits, information, and other goodies. Using these simple, environmentallyfriendly practices will help keep small leaks and spills out of the river. FISH ON!

PAGE 12

Community

Great Land Trust

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Announces Plan To Buy Top Of Bodenburg Butte

Great Land Trust Announces Plan To Buy Top Of Bodenburg Butte From Mental Health Trust Authority PRESS RELEASE from Great Land Trust

Palmer, Alaska – Local nonprofit Great Land Trust is actively fundraising to buy the summit of the Butte and donate it to the Mat-Su Borough. This will ensure permanent public access to the local landmark and most popular hiking destination in the Valley.

Currently, the top 40 acres are owned by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. Marcie Menefee, Executive Director of the Trust Land Office, says, “We are excited about this land sale and to be working with Great Land Trust.

JUNE 2014

We see this opportunity as a win-win. Revenue is generated for improving the lives and circumstances of the beneficiaries of the Mental Health Trust while the public is able to enjoy the Butte as a community asset for future generations.”

In order to make the purchase happen, Great Land Trust needs to raise $187,500 this summer. The public [was] invited to “help buy the Butte!” at a fundraiser May 8th, 5:30-8pm at the Elks Lodge, 2600 N. Barry Resort Drive, Wasilla, hosted by Cindy Bettini and Mike Butcher (Click here for event link.)

From the Butte’s summit, you can see spectacular 360-degree views of the Matanuska Valley farmlands, Talkeetna and Chugach Mountains, Knik Glacier, and Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge. “Where else in the country can you see both glaciers and farmland at the top of a mountain?” says Executive Director Phil Shephard. “We want future generations of Alaskans to be able to have that experience and relationship with this special place.”

> Great Land Trust was founded by Alaskans for

Alaskans in 1995 to conserve our local lands and waterways for future generations. Great Land Trust permanently conserves access to healthy places to fish, hunt and recreate, integral to the Alaskan way of life.

“From the Butte’s summit, you can see spectacular 360-degree views of the Matanuska Valley farmlands, Talkeetna and Chugach Mountains, Knik Glacier, and Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge.”

PAGE 13

Eighteen business women & men from the Valley will do their walking for babies in the Valley’s third High Heels for High Hopes event, a fashion show benefiting March of Dimes on August 7. The men & women will walk the cat walk wearing one of three themed looks: “Hoover Dam Attire”, Casino Wear” and “A Night Out On The Town”.

Each model has a goal of raising at least $2,000 to help babies be born healthy.

To support your local model go to http:// HighHeels.kintera.org/Alaska.

These funds will help move the March of Dimes forward in its mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health.

> For information about becoming a model, table sales, ticket sales or how to donate, contact Alicia Maltby at amaltby@marchofdimes. com or (907) 276-4111.

JUNE 2014

High Heels for High Hopes is Thursday, August 7, Raven Hall at the Alaska State Fairground. Beverages and appetizers

will be served starting at 5:30pm prior to the runway show beginning at 6:30 pm. Tables can be purchased for this event through your local models or call the March of Dimes office at 276-4111.

General admission tickets will go on sale July 18th.

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

March for Babies is America’s oldest walking event, but when it comes time to get moving, some women would rather wear stilettos than walking shoes.

Eighteen business women & men from the Valley will do their walking for babies in the Valley’s third High Heels for High Hopes event, a fashion show benefiting March of Dimes on August 7.

PAGE 14

akcoffeeroastery.com

CHECK OUT OUR POPULAR BLENDS!

COMING SOON!

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Music

FOG RISER

TUNDRA MUD

ARCTIC WOLF

NAVARRE Wasilla’s Own Jared Navarre Release Debut Solo CD > When his longtime band,

popular Alaska based indie power trio Static Cycle, stopped gigging in 2011 after several years of whirlwind recording and U.S. touring, Jared Navarre had no idea if he would perform music again.

But a dramatic change of scenery and lifestyle worked wonders, stirring a new kind of creativity that helped him discover the deeper pop, rock and soul inside. Moving to Nashville, where Static Cycle had frequented, he found exciting new inspiration and fresh collaborative possibilities that led him to write or co-write over 100 songs over the past few years. The multi-talented singer and guitarist is now releasing four of these emotionally compelling tracks as his official solo debut.

JUNE 2014

OUTHOUSE BLEND

Two of the songs on the EP illuminate his thriving songwriting partnerships with some of Music City’s finest talents. Navarre penned “Here In This Crazy” with Justin

CONTINUES ON PAGE 24 Mauriello (former frontman of Zebrahead and Darling Thieves) and Matt Scullion, who has had over 70 cuts in his native Australia, including eleven #1 singles at radio and five #1 records. He wrote “Stars” with Mauriello and another writer named Rosemary Tracy (also an Alaskan native).

The project was produced by Josh Weaver, aka “Tone,” whose superstar credits include Green Day and Santana; “Tone” also produced the final two projects by Static Cycle, the EPs Part 1: Hydrate and Part 2: Rehydrate. Navarre and Tone wrote “sun” and “studio” together. Navarre just shot videos for “Stars” and “Here In This Crazy.”

PAGE 16

EVENT GUI WORKSHOPS

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Workshops will be held at the Palmer Library, Alaska Bible College, and the Palmer Museum of History & Art - see Info Booth for details.

10-10:45am – Seeding Hearts One Drum at a Time. Connect your heartbeat with the voice of a drum. A drum making demonstration. CONNIE HARRIS 11-11:45am – UAF: Birch Bark Carvings and Crafts Demonstration. Discover the beautiful potential of a sustainable natural resource: birch bark. VAL BARBER 12-12:45pm – All about the Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District: invasive weed pulls, salmon habitat improvement, soil testing analysis, rhubarb, and so much more! JEFF SMEENK & DAVID IANSON 1-1:45pm - Creating a Healing Garden with Wild Herbs. A brief introduction to the use of wild herbs right in your own yard to help create a healing garden. RACHEL BOBKA & ELLEN VANDE VISSE 2-2:45pm - Good Earth Garden School: Secret Growing Tips from the Pros that can help you grow an amazing garden. ELLEN VANDE VISSE

JUNE 2014

FLAT KENNY Take your Flat Kenny with you on the Palmer Art Walk and take photos with him to verify your visit to each location. Visit at least ten stops to enter the FREE Flat Kenny Raffle or purchase items at the Art Walk stops to be entered into two additional raffles with higher value prizes. All participants should check in at the Palmer Museum.

3-3:45pm – MatSu Cooperative Extension Service: Soil Sampling and Fertilization for the Home Gardener. Learn what your soil sample will tell you and the fundamentals of conventional and organic fertilizers. STEVE BROWN

Overby Family Band

Emma Hill

10am-6pm

4-4:45pm – How to Grow a Giant Cabbage for the Alaska State Fair. Learn the easy and fun fundamentals of growing a giant cabbage.

CURT MUELLER 5-5:45pm – How to Turn that Cold Pile of Goo into Compost! Composting basics and Q&A with JODIE ANDERSON

CLASSES IN THE GARDEN 10-11am - Photography workshop at the Showcase Garden with RICHARD ESTELLE & BARBIE WAGNER (By The Spirit Photography) 10am-6pm - Raku Firing class on the Museum grounds with SANDRA COOK.

COOKING CLASSES Pre-register by calling 745-3360 or sign up online at http://bit.ly/ces-extension 10:30am-12pm - Turn milk into yogurt in this hands-on class. $10. JULIE COSCIO 12:30-2pm - Learn how to start and use sourdough amidst tales of early Alaska in this hands-on class. $10. JULIE COSCIO 3-4pm - Learn to make kombucha with MOONLIT LAKE GARDENS.

Shane LaBoucane

John Cook

IDE MUSIC

Noon-10pm

Sponsored by Make-a-Scene & Josh Fryfogle Noon - Overby Family Band 1pm - Emma Hill 2pm - Shane LaBoucane 3pm - John Cook 4pm - Fat Tuesday Blues Band 5pm - Jerry Wessling 6-8pm - Ken Peltier Band 8-10pm - Matt Hopper & the Roman Candles

ART WALK

10am -4pm

Participating locations: The Palmer Museum of History and Art Arkose Brewery - Thrifters Rock - Cover Ups Valley Quilters Guild - The Garden Gate NonEssentials - Fireside Books - BBella Alaska Artisans and Crafters - Healing Path Therapeutic Massage - Shane Lamb Gallery

Jerry Wessling

Ken Peltier Band

& MORE

GARDEN CONTAINER SILENT AUCTION Each of our Palmer Art Walk stops will be sponsoring a unique garden container filled with an assortment of flowers or vegetables, on display at the sponsoring location one week prior to the Faire. Bid on your favorite container at the sponsoring locations throughout the Palmer Art Walk and at the Information Booth from 4-6pm. Winners will be announced at the end of the Faire at 6pm, when they can pick up and pay for their containers (cash or check) at the Information Booth. All proceeds go towards the 2015 Garden & Art Faire.

RHUBARB RUMBLE! 2013 Winner: Pizzaria Delphi Palmer's restaurants and vendors do battle to win your vote in the Rhubarb Rumble: pick up a ballot at the Info Booth, visit participating locations, try delicious rhubarb recipes, and vote for your favorite back at the Info Booth: the winning rhubarb dish will win a prestigous prize made by a local artist (& bragging rights!)

Matt Hopper & the Roman Candles

EVENT GUIDE WORKSHOPS- 10-6pm PALMER PUBLIC LIBRARY PALMER MUSEUM & GARDEN ALASKA BIBLE COLLEGE

MUSIC ON THE GREEN- 12-10pm ART WALK - 10am-4pm & FLAT KENNY HQ

Palmer Museum of History and Art

RECIPE SWAP - 12-4pm Colony Inn

The People’s

MAGAZINE

The People’s Paper Woolwood Studio & Gardens Passion For Beads Arkose Brewery

GARDEN CONTAINER closes@6pm SILENT AUCTION Info Booth

RHUBARB RUMBLE- closes@6pm Info Booth

FOOD, BEVERAGE & CRAFT VENDORS - OPEN ALL DAY! INFO BOOTH

RESTROOMS

SPECIAL GUESTS

KEN PELTIER BAND

GIANT CABBAGE CONTINUED Memorial Day weekend is when most people put their plants in the ground, said grower Scott Robb, the current giant cabbage world record-holder, who claimed the title at the 2012 Fair. And although Memorial Day is just around the corner, it’s not too late to get in the game.

Especially this year. “It’s been an exceptional spring. The ground is thawing faster and warming quicker. With this weather, (cabbages) will mature quickly. Be careful or you will blow them up,” Robb said.

The warmer temps shouldn’t be a problem for the cabbages, especially the OS Cross, which is what many growers plant. “It’s a thick-leafed, sturdy plant. Heat doesn’t affect it too much,” Robb said.

While spring in Alaska has been unseasonably warm so far, cabbage-growers should follow the “same general care and practices,” Robb said. Tips from the pros include:

Keep an eye out for moose. “Keep the moose away and it should be a good cabbage year,” Robb said.

Ensure consistent moisture. “Make sure you water them plenty,” Shunskis said. “Cabbages have to stay moist to grow consistently.

You can’t let them dry out. You have to have consistent moisture or it disrupts their growth.”

So it’s been a good season so far – but is it on track to be a recordbreaking year? The jury is still out. “It’s not that easy to grow a cabbage over 100 pounds. It took me 20 years,” Robb said. “I’d like to think I have a shot, but a lot of things have to go right. You have to have a little luck on your side.”

Shunskis is also cautiously optimistic. “It looks like it could be a good summer. I should have a bigger cabbage because the season will be longer, but you never know until it happens. Every year, it’s different,” he said.

> For more information, visit

alaskastatefair.org or contact Pamella Meekin, vendor and exhibits manager, at pamella@alaskastatefair.org or 907.746.7159.

JUNE 2014

Watch for root maggots. “With warmer soils, we see more root maggot activity. They can compromise the plants,” Robb said. A good indicator that you may have a root maggot problem

is if your plants are wilting even if they are well-watered.

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

“You don’t have to start real early,” said Brian Shunskis, a grower from Salcha who took third place in 2013’s competition with his 77.4-pound entry. “I sometimes have better luck with cabbages when I start them later. Cabbages like to grow fast.”

PAGE 19

Community

PAGE 20 www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Community

FARMERS MARKETS Eagle River Farmers MarkET June – September Tuesdays 3pm - 7pm Eagle River: VFW Post Parking Lot Contact: Lynn Mattison 907-696-4839 mattison@ak.net

Wasilla Farmers Market June 4 - September 10 Time: Wednesdays 11am - 6pm Wasilla: West end of Iditapark (Next to Weber St) Contact: Lynn Follett 907-232-6310

Mat-Su Farmers Market Mondays 11am – 7pm Palmer: The Palmer Depot (610 S Valley Way) Contact: Carl Brooke 907-414-0154 www.matsufm.com

Alaska Pacific University Farmers Market Beginning May 23, 2014 Wednesdays 1:30pm – 6:30pm Alaska Pacific University: 4101 University Drive Contact: Chris Pavadore 907-564-8230 cpavadore@alaskapacific.edu

Palmer Friday Flings May 23 - August 29 Fridays 10am - 5pm Palmer: Across from Visitor's Center 907-355-9415 www.palmerchamber.org Willow Farmers Market July 4 - September 19 Fridays 2pm - 7pm Willow: Mile 69 Parks Highway (Across from Newman’s Tesoro) Contact: Dean Davidson 907-841-1132 ninadean@mtaonline.net

JUNE 2014

Wasilla Marketplace May 17 – September 13 - Weekdays 10am – 5pm Saturdays 10am – 6pm Anchorage Farmers Market May 3 - October 11 Saturdays 9am - 2pm 15th Ave and Cordova St River Bean 907-746-1087 www.anchoragefarmersmarket.org info@anchoragefarmersmarket.org

Peters Creek Farmers Market & Crafts

Starts in June Thursdays 3pm – 8pm Chugiak: American Legion Post 33 (21643 Old Glenn Hwy) Contact: Susan Boarland & American Legion Post 33 907-688-4396

Downtown Market & Festival

May 10 - September 7 Sat. & Sun. 10am - 6pm Anchorage: 3rd Avenue Between C & E Streets Dana Reese 907-272-5634 www.anchoragemarkets.com info@anchoragemarkets.com

SPENARD FARMERS MARKET

May 17 – September 27 Saturdays 9am - 2pm Anchorage: 2555 Spenard Rd 907-563-6273 www.spenardfarmersmarket.org

VPA’s Annual Meeting

PAGE 21

Theatre

& Awards Ceremony Volunteers and patrons of Valley Performing Arts gathered on June 11th to celebrate VPA’s 38th season of providing quality live theatre to the valley.

VPA Members (Season Ticket Holders) elected Phenie Miller, Kathy Sage and John Warner to the VPA Board of Directors and selected the following season winners with the Members’ Choice Awards:

> BEST SOUND EFFECTS-LARRY BOTTJENTHE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Master of Ceremonies, Dave Nufer, Principal of Finger Lake Elementary and VPA veteran, kept guests howling with laughter by sharing anecdotes about the season and many of our volunteers as well as providing witty banter with the award recipients and the audience.

> BEST DIRECTOR-MARCIA BECK

THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB

> BEST COSTUME DESIGN -CHERI TRASK-THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES > ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S AWARD-CHERI TRASK JUNE 2014

> BEST ACTOR-TODD BROSTE SEE HOW THEY RUN

CONTINUES ON PAGE 29

PAGE 22

Weddings

Don’t Burn The Toast!

Tips for the Wedding Party

By Vicki Kluever, President,

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Palmer Toastmasters Club

We’ve all been to at least one function when the speaker changed the mood in the room from upbeat and festive to awkward.

Sadly, this happens often during the wedding toast.

We’ve all been to at least one function when the speaker changed the mood in the room from upbeat and festive to awkward. Sadly, this happens often during the wedding toast. Either the speaker was too nervous, wasn’t prepared, talked too long, or made inappropriate remarks. It creates an uncomfortable memory at an event that we want to be filled only with happiness. No one wants to be remembered as the person who burned the Toast!

If you’re the Best Man, Maid of Honor or other wedding VIP, you should be aware of the opportunity and the trust that has been placed in you to say exactly the right thing during the toast. A good wedding toast inspires laughter or tears. A GREAT toast evokes both.

A wedding toast should be “brief, personal and customized to the occasion,” says Toastmasters International past President Jana Barnhill.

“Most of all, it should be heartfelt.” Speaking from the heart is the key to an appropriate toast. To help you put your best foot forward – and not in your mouth – Palmer Toastmasters Club offers the following tips:

> Pick a story or topic that is personal but appropriate. Think of how your own life is richer because of your connection to the couple.

> Be careful with humor – that personal story you consider harmless may not be seen the same way by others.

> Keep it short – no more than about 2 minutes.

JUNE 2014

> Write it down, and re-write as necessary. There is a reason

> Stay sober. Being coherent helps you with composure. > Dress your best. If you look good, you’ll feel more confident. > Speak naturally, slowly, and clearly. Stand up-this helps

to better project your voice. If a microphone is available, use it. If a microphone isn’t available, speak as loudly as you can.

This is a memorable occasion and everyone, especially 92 year old Auntie who is hard of hearing, wants to hear the toast.

Remember, your friend or family member has chosen you to fulfill a very special role on their special day. This is your chance to help make their day complete.

Palmer Toastmasters Club meets at the MTA Building lower level conference center in Palmer each Tuesday evening from 6 PM to 7 PM. We are here to help you conquer your public speaking concerns. Palmer Toastmasters Club has joined forces with 14,350 other clubs as part of Toastmasters International – a nonprofit organization serving more than 292,000 members in 122 countries. Since its founding in 1924, Toastmasters International has helped more than four million men and women in club develop their public speaking skills and become confident communicators at work, at home, and yes, even at parties.

> For more information about the Toastmasters program,

feel free to visit the Toastmasters International website www. toastmasters.org, or the Palmer Toastmasters website www. palmer.toastmastersclubs.org - or call 907-539-7111.

why the 1st written draft is called a rough draft. Cut the unnecessary parts that don’t add value to your story or to your toast.

Better yet, come be our guest at a meeting! Our meetings are free and open to the public, and everyone is welcome. We can help you give a beautiful and memorable toast, without burning the toast!

> Practice! Use friends as sounding boards beforehand.

Vicki Kluever is a 6th generation life-long Alaskan and has lived in Palmer for 23 years. She is self-employed as a Notary, technical writer, a glass and jewelry artist, and a member of 2 Toastmasters clubs.

PAGE 23

Community

Wasilla Area Seniors Presents

The 2014 Miles For Meals 5k Fun Run - Walk & Roll.

Public Service Announcement From WASI This event is the main fundraiser of the year for the Wasilla Area Meals on Wheels program. “Meals on Wheels” is a vital service to seniors who are able to remain in their home and receive a hot, nutritious meal and a welfare check from one of our friendly drivers.

The Miles for Meals 5K Fun Run Walk & Roll will take place on Saturday, July 12 at 10:45 AM at the Wasilla Area Senior Center, located at 1301 South Century Circle in Wasilla, off Knik-Goose Bay Road and Riley Avenue. The event will start and end at the Wasilla Area Senior Campus.

Pre-registration is $20 for each run walk or roller or teams of 4 are $60.

Race day registration is $30 each or $70 for a team of 4.

All racers are welcome to stay for the BBQ directly after the race.

There will be free hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks.

All participants are asked to park at the Assembly of God Church on Riley Avenue and walk over to the Senior Campus for the start of the race.

We look forward to seeing everyone there for a day of fun and food that supports a worthy cause.

Fundraiser Success

By Julie Hopkins

The Matanuska Valley is a very special place. Most of us know this, and it’s one of the reasons we live here. The unified and supportive nature of this Proudly sponsored by: community is clearly evident when there is an individual or family in need, and folks join together to help in whatever way they can. It is heartwarming First National Bank of Alaska to see the frequent fundraising efforts that occur here, and the number of Diversified Tire Safeway/Carrs people who participate.

Carpet World On March 30, Sunday afternoon, a benefit to raise money for medical needs Fred Meyer was held for Rob and Margaret Czarnezki at the Four Corners Lounge.

Bomax Maxim’s Painting There was live music, a silent auction, face painting, horse rides and great JC Electric food available. The turnout was fantastic and as the music played, people WCP Solutions ate and socialized and wandered through the silent auction area. Some Mat-Su Federal Credit Union sat out on the deck and watched a spinner spin yarn. It was a wonderful Wolf Eye Center afternoon of people coming together for a good cause.

Mat-Su Health Foundation The People’s Paper We want to thank everyone for turning out to support these community members and local business owners. Our unique local small businesses contribute to the special atmosphere of the Valley, and it is sad to see the

CONTINUES ON PAGE 28

JUNE 2014

Pre-registration forms are available thru July 10th on the Wasilla Area Senior website (www.alaskaseniors. com) or at the WASI Campus from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The first 200 entrants will receive a free T-Shirt.

Awards will be given to the overall male and female winners in each of

There will be 2 drawings each for 25,000 Alaska Airline miles.

The first winner will be drawn from all registered participants who collected $100 or more in donations. And the other winner will be the single participant who collected the most in dollar donations.

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

This year we anticipate feeding over 75,500 seniors. Your contributions are an extremely important basic need provided to senior residents within our community.

4 age categories: 17 and under; 1834; 35-59; and 60 years or over.

PAGE 24 www. MAKEASCENEAK .com JUNE 2014

Music “When the band broke up, I just wanted to continue cultivating my creativity and was not thinking about pursuing a solo career at all,” says Navarre. “But when you have that songwriting bug, I suppose it’s inevitable. I was here in Nashville to submerge myself in music and keep writing; a completely different experience than band life. Meeting and working with so many talented writers along the way, I started writing in this more melodic and soulful, tug the heart kind of vein. This type of music just pours out of me. It’s what I live and breathe and I feel more connected to it than any music I have ever written before.”

Before he made his decision to re-emerge as a solo artist with a new recording, Navarre was enjoying a full, vibrant life that balanced his unexpected and fruitful creative renaissance – including a full slate of vocal and guitar lessons - with travels to “reprioritize and regain balance” to places like the Philippines, Thailand, Burma and Mexico with an organization that rescues child soldiers called Project AK-47. But typical of extremely driven artists, he had also been working so hard at evolving that he feels like he had “devoured” himself and tore himself apart. He laughs that it was “Tone”’s pestering after he heard these songs that convinced him it was time to set those mixed emotions aside and get back in the studio. They started the sessions with no expectations and halfway through they realized that they were onto something pretty special.

As the lead singer for a group that became the biggest band in Alaska – their name “Static Cycle” was a sly reference to their desire to break the cycle of mundane, cookie cutter indie rock – Navarre had become close friends with a few rock stations in the state. He sent “Stars” to the program director Bob Lester at hard rock outlet KWHL in Anchorage, who loved the track and asked if he could play it; it got incredible feedback from listeners. Another programmer Jake Thompson at the adult contemporary station in Kenai got a similar response to “Crazy” – all of which prompted Navarre to go full steam ahead towards the formal release of the EP May 27.

The irony of his great excitement about entering this new phase in his career is that, true to the darker feelings of doubt he experienced along

NAVARRE CONTINUED his journey, the four songs on the EP are relationship songs whose themes are decidedly not happy. “The four songs are from two relationships I had over the last two years,” he says. “I was in them while trying to adapt back to a normal life after years on the road, learning to be a normal human being again.”

Commenting on the songs, Navarre adds, “The tune ‘Here In This Crazy’ is about that moment when you have said everything you can and your partner isn’t responding at all. There’s nothing you can do to fix it. It’s a helpless feeling, that person controls your fate. The relationship could be over, last two more minutes or a full lifetime. It’s purgatory. With ‘Studio, I built the beat around the hook which I loved.

It’s about having terrible sleep problems after a breakup. Every time I would be in the studio trying to write something, she’d be there haunting the moment.

He continues, “‘Sun’ turned out to be my favorite and I wrote that in one sitting straight through, which doesn’t happen for me a lot. It’s the light that goes off when it’s the beginning of the end in a relationship. And sometimes ‘it takes moving on to realize leaving was wrong’. Finally, ‘Star’s isn’t about romantically looking to the heavens. It’s part of a boxing metaphor. Like ‘Here we go again, dancing around the ring/Why did you take it off and leave it here with me.’ And now that you’ve hit me so hard and punched me out, ‘counting to ten won’t be enough for me to get back to my feet’. The video ends with the girl leaving a letter and the ring and the sky turns to black.”

With Static Cycle, which launched in 2007, Navarre – a native of Wasila, Alaska – rocked everything from local clubs to the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage. Navarre has played every U.S. state and shared stages with major artists like Pop Evil, Daughtry, Ludacris, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Seether, Puddle of Mudd, Drowning Pool, Eve6, Emery and fellow Alaskans 36 Crazyfists.

Navarre, who always complemented the harder rock tendencies he brought to Static Cycle with a

soft rock and R&B touch, has been singing and playing guitar professionally since he was 10. With his previous band Crail, Navarre won the Rock Category at the 2004 annual Alaska Song of the Year competition.

Now, with the release of his new EP, Navarre is at last free of any band constraints and can express himself without compromise. “In a cool way, I get to be a little selfish and ensure that the songs I’m writing and singing are 100 percent my voice, my emotions and what I am personally going through,” he says. “Being in a band offers a beauty of its own…we thrive and feed off each other.

But as a solo artist, there are no other filters or opinions. I get to work with whomever I choose from a crop of the best writers and musicians in the world, and just sharing air with them and their brilliance is special.

“The best part of deciding it was time to become a solo artist,” he adds, “is getting over that ridge of insanity where I doubted myself and my future in music. As da Vinci says, ‘Art is never finished, just abandoned,’ and now I can let go of some of the songs I’ve written over the past few years and start writing new material with more energy and soul than ever.”

www.navarremusic.com

Community

Wasilla Market Place

By Suzette Lord

Thursdays 10 am - 6 pm Saturdays 10am – 6pm Through September 13 The focus of the Wasilla Market Place is Alaskan made goods and products.

Supporting our local sustainable produce and products in Alaska is our hope.

We welcome fundraisers, and entertainment from our community; as well as arts, music, crafts, gardening, and much much more.

We enjoy giving our families, friends and neighbors a place to laugh, meet, and support each other. We look to leave a positive impression, to show tourists and neighbors that Wasilla, Alaska is an amazing hometown to live and/or visit!

MAGAZINE

FEEDBACK, please...

What do you enjoy reading about in MAS? What would you like to see more of in MAS? Send us your thoughts makeasceneak@mac.com

7

PAGE 24

To have your non-profit organization included in this free community resource list, please email your info to:

makeasceneak@mac.com

SENIORS

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Palmer Senior Citizens Center, Inc.

The primary mission of the Palmer Senior Citizens Center, Inc. is to assist individuals age sixty or older, individuals of any age with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorders, individuals of any age on the Medicaid Waiver program and other eligible individuals in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough remain as independent as possible in the least restrictive environment possible and out of expensive nursing homes for as long as possible. Services include: congregate and home delivered meals, transportation, adult day services, care coordination, senior employment, family caregivers support, information / referral, chore services, senior housing, chore services, Better Choices Better Health classes, HELP program, activities and volunteer opportunities.

745-5454, pscc@mtaonline.net

Alzheimer’s Resource Agency of Alaska

As Alaska’s resource on Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Agency of Alaska (ADRAA) is committed to providing information, education and services for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) and their caregivers. We have served Alaskans since 1984, and today we help more than 5,000 people annually.

As a non-profit statewide organization, we provide family consultations, care coordination, in-home services for frail elders & individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and education programs to family caregivers and health care professionals.

We are your resource for information and can refer you to services in Alaska or the contiguous U.S. Sam Meneses, 746-3432, www.alzalaska.org

Valley Charities, Inc; Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Store Provides medical equipment to all income brackets in the Valley; provides clothing and household goods to Valley residents that are economically disadvantaged.

John Rozzi , 376-5740

Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. (WASI)

A Health and Wellness Campus for Seniors on the Go! The goal at WASI is to assist and refer services for Seniors 60 and older so they can live as independently as possible for as long as possible. Some of the services provided are: Meals: Family Style Meals Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Center. Meals on Wheels home delivered meals.

Housing: Independent Housing for low income and Aprket rate individuals. Optional Assisted Living Services Transportation: Partnership with MASCOT Bus $.60 per one way ride. Dr. visits by appointment Other Activities: Cards, Wii, and Painting at the Center Blood Pressure Checks Club50 Fitness Center, Strong Seniors Program ($5/8 weeks) Shopping Trips and other outings Valley Performing Arts Theater Visits And much more… call 376-3104 opt.2 for more information.

Dennie Jaques , 376-3104

JUNE 2014

Mat-Su Area Partnership (MAP)

An organization of non-profit agencies in the Mat-Su Valley. MAP holds a monthly meeting on a Thursday at the Menard Sports Complex in Wasilla. www.mapartnership.org/matsu/

Mid-Valley Seniors Inc

Mid-Valley Seniors, Inc. Mid-Valley Seniors has 3 senior housing units-18 apartments and serves a congregate meal Mon-

Fri at 12:00pm. Home delivered meals served daily fresh Mon-Fri, weekend meals are frozen.

Transportation to Adult Day Services is available Mon-Fri 8:00am-3:00pm Come up to the Center for activities or lunch.

Lisa Byrd, 892-6114 mvscadmin@mtaonline.net

FAMILIES & CHILDREN March of Dimes Alaska Chapter

The March of Dimes is inspired by all babies – those born healthy and those who need our help to survive and thrive. Working together for stronger, healthier babies, in the Valley we work directly with the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

The Children’s Place child advocacy center is a child-friendly, neutral facility where professionals from many agencies involved in the evaluation, investigation and treatment of child abuse meet to coordinate and bring their services to the child and their family. We provide child forensic interviews, medical exams, linkage to mental health providers, follow-up support and referrals throughout the investigation process.

Referrals to The Children’s Place are made through law enforcement and Office of Children’s Services.

The Children’s Place, 357-5157 www.alaskachildrensplace.com

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska

We also provide clinics and organizations with resources and information. We host a March for Babies walk in the Spring and High Heels for High Hopes Runway Show in August.

Strengthens our communities by providing mentors to all children who need and want a caring adult role model – special friends who can help them expand their horizons, realize their potential and enrich their futures – changing their lives.

For more information contact our office 276-4111 or email JOdgers@marchofdimes.com.

Alaska Center for Resource Families

Alaska Family Services

Alaska Family Services is a multi-dimensional non-profit that has over 20 programs serving the Mat-Su Valley. Major areas are: domestic violence, behavioral health, WIC, family support, and residential for youth with emotional issues.

Donn A. Bennice, Ph.D. 746-4080 - akafs.org

LINKS Mat-Su Parent Resource Center.

We provide support and assistance to families with disabilities. LINKS provides support and trainings, parent to parent connections to mentor, information and referral, and access to library materials. These services are provided through one-on-one assistance and individualized workshops for small or large groups. Our vision is to ensure that every parent and family who has a child with a special need has access to information, education, outreach, and support in a culturally competent environment and to empower then to be advocates for themselves, their children, and their families.

Regan Building 3161 E Palmer Wasilla Hwy. Suite #2 Linda Kupers, Administrative Assistant linda@linksprc.org - 907-373-3632

MYHouse Homeless Teen Shelter in the Matsu

is a non-profit that exists to provide services to unaccompanied youth, ages 14-24, in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The services we provide include, but are not limited to, hot meals, shelf stable foods, gas cards, transport to shelter, clothing, tents, sleeping bags, laundry, shower, hygiene products, street outreach, access to medical, dental and mental health care, vocational services and employment opportunities, educational advocacy and life coaching.

Our youth center, The Gathering Place, is located at 300 N. Willow St in central Wasilla. Also on campus is the MYHouse Café, Gathering Grounds, which exists to provide employment for homeless and at risk youth, as well as our partnering agencies and businesses, Nine Star, Mat-Su Public Health Center and Car Deets (an automotive detailing business which hires homeless youth). To learn more, visit our website at myhousematsu.org or call 373-4357.

Family Promise Mat-Su

Provides a shelter for families without housing.

We mobilize community resources and local congregations to provide compassionate care through shelter, meals, and case management to families without housing. Guest families are housed in area church buildings at night for a week at a time...moving to new host church on Sundays.

Provides support, training and education for foster, relative and adoptive families caring for children that have been abused and neglected. ACRF also helps support the Mat-Su Grandparents Support Group in collaboration with Links and Volunteers of America. For more information about foster care and adopting children that are in the OCS child protection system visit our website www.acrf.org or call 376-4678 - bwoodin@nwresource.org

Pillows for Kids Foundation

We provide little pillows of support and little scholarships for local children to participate in brain-training activities such as art, music, gymnastics, swimming, skiing, snowboarding, skating, horseback riding, and Aprtial arts..

Mentors and community members contact us when there is an identified need to keep kids, preschool through college, connected with good activities in our community. We plan to publish a book and CD/DVD of Evan’s “Little Pillow” song (copyrighted) soon.

Currently, we are selling washable, decorator pillows of all shapes, sizes and colors for kids and adults as a way of creating funding for the scholarships - Valerie Koivunen pillowsforkids@gmail.com

The Moose Boosters Wrestling Club

A youth development organization that provides aid and funding to low income recreational facilitates and athletes at the high school level.

Funding supports athletes who participate in wrestling programs while meeting academic standards.

Michelle Heun - 355-7099

Set Free Alaska

Brief description about non-profit: Our children, friends, co-workers; there is someone we know who is struggling with addiction and destructive behaviors. It is the goal of Set Free Alaska to provide excellent, individualized services to our clients. Set Free Alaska is a Christian outpatient substance abuse treatment center that uses a mind-body-spirit approach to recovery.

Our programs are designed to assist people in gaining freedom from the bondage of addiction and destructive behaviors. Set Free Alaska realizes that cost can be a huge deterrent to people seeking and receiving the help they need as well as a huge relapse trigger. Our assessments are based on a sliding fee scale.

It is the goal of Set Free Alaska that no person be denied the services they need due to lack of financial resources. Our offices are open MonFri 10-6 and we are located on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway across from the AT&T Sports Center.

Philip Licht, Executive Director 373-4732, www.setfreealaska.org/

Big Lake Community Clothing Closet

Applications are available on our website.

357-6160, www.familypromisematsu.org

Donated by local Alaskans, Big Lake Community Clothing Closet provides quality clothing to people in need, at no charge.

The Children’s Place

Clothing and footwear for people of all ages is

available. Also, assorted household items as they are available. This unique program helps people locally. Donations are accepted, to further the program. Any money donated helps pay the rent for our location at 2955 Big Lake Rd., Big Lake, Alaska.

and to continue our standard of excellence.

We meet Octember through Nov. on Thursday evenings at 7-9pm in the Choir Room at Wasilla High School.

Nan Potts 745-8788 matsucomchours@gmail.com

Financial donation could also be mailed to the Big Lake Community Clothing Closet, PO Box 527069, Big Lake, AK 99652.

Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums of Eagle River

Open Wednesday’s from 11am-3pm All donations of quality clothing in good condition can be donated at the above address during regular hours of operation.

Check us out on Facebook

The ARTs Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums

Those interested in lessons, or in playing pipes or drums with Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums, please contact the Band by email at craigag@ mtaonline.net or by telephone at (907) 688-4196.

The band’s website can be found at http://www. alaskaceltic.org , plus, we’re on Facebook! “The Pipes, the Pipes are calling...”

Radio Free Palmer

Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums of Eagle River, under the leadership of Pipe Major Aja Stewart and Drum Sergeant Bryan Gonzales, are actively recruiting pipers and drummers, as well as those interested in learning Great Highland Bagpipes and Highland Drumming (snare, tenor, bass.) We would like to extend a cordial invitation to anyone who would like to learn to play bagpipes or drums, to FREE lessons with our Band.

We are a grade IV competing, family-oriented pipe band established in 2005, and beginners of any age are welcome. Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums are very active in supporting the community in which we live. Our purpose is to advance the rich cultural heritage of Great Highland Bagpipe music, and to have FUN doing it! ACPD provides free instruction in piping and drumming, with Band practice to follow, every Friday evening at 5:00 and 5:45 pm at Eagle River Presbyterian Church, 12836 Old Glenn Highway, in Eagle River.

Radio Free Palmer is community radio serving the Sutton and Palmer communities as KVRF 89.5 FM and online at radiofreepalmer.org.

On air since 2011, KVRF’s mission is to foster community involvement.

Those interested in lessons, or in becoming members of ACPD, please contact the Band by email at Nov.gstensgericht@yahoo.com or by telephone at (907) 376-5060. The band’s website can be found at http://www.alaskaceltic.org

Currently we produce great local shows on topics from health to mushing - and the list of programs is growing. Online we add important community events such as the Borough Assembly and School Board Meetings. Listen to Radio Free Palmer KVRF 89.5 for more community-centric news, music, sports, music or come volunteer to to help bring great radio programming to the valley.

Mat-Su Concert Band, Inc.

745-8951, Manager@radiofreepalmer.org Radiofreepalmer.org and on Facebook and Twitter

Valley Fine Arts Association

VFAA was formed to teach techniques, and encourage fellowship among visual artists in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. we strive to promote a supportive attitude toward visual arts in our Alaskan community.

We welcome beginners, students, part-time and professional artists who focus mainly on twodimensional art mediums and want to connect with other creative people and gain more exposure locally.

Throughout the year, we inform our members about opportunities to show their work, participate in group events, view other local artists, and enroll in workshops. During the school year, we organize regular sessions for painting together and host monthly artist demonstrations on the 1st and 3rd Mondays from 4 - 8 p.m.; Room 212 at Mat-Su College. Aprch 7 @ 6:00 p.m., Charles Gause will be the guest speaker.

Membership in the Valley Fine Arts Association provides many diverse opportunities for artists. Check our website calendar at www. valleyfineartsassociation.com for upcoming events.

Mat-Su Community Chorus, Inc.

As Musical Ambassadors of The Valley, The Mat-Su Community Chorus has provided quality vocal music, in its various forms, for the benefit, education and enjoyment of its members and the surrounding communities since 1970. Our membership is open to the public, inviting all who wish to add their voice in song. We offer complimentary performances at public celebrations and deliver formal concerts twice a year.

We are a 501(c)3, non-profit organization, currently with twenty-two members and we are looking towards expanding the organization to better serve the community. With the support from individuals, businesses and other civic organizations we are able to grow our group by bringing the community together through music

Our mission is to promote, plan, support and conduct educational and cultural activities and opportunities for the benefit of the citizens and residents of Alaska. We do this by providing an outlet for the many talented musicians in and around our area to perform and a venue for the public to come and enjoy with us our music.

Rehearsals are every Mon. from 7 to 9 p.m. at Teeland Middle School. For more information, contact Gleo Huyck at 746-0628. matsuconcertband@gmail.com

The Whirling Rainbow Foundation

Grandmother Drum International Peace Project The Whirling Rainbow Foundation is an international spiritual and educational non- profit organization which honors and celebrates the diverse cultural and spiritual paths of the human family. The foundation cultivates the universal teachings of inner peace, loving compassion, wisdom and understanding at the core of every culture and spiritual tradition. We are starting a Global Peace Sanctuary and Sustainable Community in Palmer.

The GrandMother Drum International Peace Project travels the world as the international voice of the Whirling Rainbow Foundation. As a symbol of the heartbeat of love that connects all nations and all races, the seven foot, crystal inlaid GrandMother Drum holds local and global events promoting peace and unity through the universal language of music, dance, cultural and healings arts.

White Eagle Medicine Woman (Suraj Holzwarth) Executive Director www.whirlingrainbow.com

Valley Performing Arts

We’re celebrating over 36 years of Quality Live Theatre! VPA performs seven plays a year from Octember through Nov.. We welcome actors, volunteers, program advertisers and play sponsors to join in supporting VPA, the Valley’s oldest live theatre. The VPA Summer Theatre Arts Programs take place Nov. through Nov. and are for youth 6-11 and 12-17. The VPA Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony is held each Nov. and Annual Fundraiser in October.

Purchase your tickets online or from our office.

Check out audition dates and show times on our website.

373-0195, www.valleyperformingarts.org

We are a place for both new and established artists of all types—painters, sculptors, musicians, and those involved in the performing arts—to network and to experiment with new ideas and media. We work with local libraries, schools, museums, art councils, and music and art groups to create more venues for the arts, and to help promote art related events. www.valleyartsalliance.com

ANIMALS AK Cat Kitty Rescue

Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue (ADPR)

Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue is an all volunteer, non-profit organization formed for the purpose of rescuing homeless dogs and puppies. We have rescued dogs throughout Alaska, including various Bush communities. These rescued dogs are placed in foster homes, where they are socialized, vaccinated, dewormed, and taken to the vet to be microchipped and spayed or neutered. It is our goal to have an animal sanctuary, so that all adoptable dogs are given an opportunity to find their forever homes. We encourage individuals to volunteer for this very worthy cause.

745-7030 adpr03@yahoo.com

Alaska Assistance Dogs (AAd)

AAD provides service dogs to Alaskans with special needs (physical, physiological & mental health), and incorporates therapeutic programs into service dog training. AAD works with special education students at school, provides teen mentoring in community training venues, offers domestic violence/PTSD support groups, FASD/ Autism programs, and provides service dogs and support groups for veterans with PTSD and their families.

Therapist on staff, and all trainers are certified by the founder of the service dog concept, Dr. Bonnie Bergin.

Carole J. Shay, Lpc. carole@alaskaassistancedogs.org

Meadow Gates Farm Sanctuary

Meadow Gates Farm Sanctuary has provided shelter and care for unwanted pet rabbits since 2001. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable corporation. Rabbits are taken in when space is available. They are evaluated for behavior and personality, spayed/neutered, then adopted to new pet homes. Bunnies not able to be adopted are maintained permanently at the sanctuary.

Responsible adult volunteers are always needed.

907-357-6437, www.meadowgates.com manager@meadowgates.com

VARIETY United Way of Mat Su was formed in 1987 to serve as a single, borough wide, fundraising agency, but we have grown to be so much more.

We are dedicated to working in our community on education, stable income and health. These are the building blocks for a quality life. We

Mat Su Sertoma Club

The Mat Su Sertoma Club focuses on hearing health. They are part of a national organization with more than 600 clubs throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The club provides free hearing screens to the public the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wasilla Physical Therapy, 3750 E. Country Field Circle, Wasilla from September until May. During the summer we’re fishing, camping and gardening like most Alaskans!

The Mat Su Sertoma Club is the host to the Annual Mat Su Polar Plunge, the original valley dip each February. They have been responsible for providing funding to non profits in the Mat Su Borough for more than 5 years, along with scholarship funding for two students who are pursuing an education in the hearing health field.

The website is www.matsuhearing.dot to stay abreast of activities. Meetings are held the second and fourth Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Tailgaters Restaurant in Wasilla.

The Last Frontier Honor Flight

Our mission is to transport WWII, Alaska Territorial Guard and Korean War veterans to Washington D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices AT NO COST TO THE VETERANS. All Donations are tax deductible, according to state and federal laws. You can make a donation to The Last Frontier Honor Flight PO Box 520116 Big Lake, Alaska 99652, or pay with a credit card on our website at www.tlfhonorflight.org.

If you would like to volunteer you can contact our President Ron Travis at (907) 892-6097 for meeting times and places.

The Sertoma Club - Wasilla

We host the Mat Su Polar Plunge raising funds for non-profits in the Matanuska Susitna Valley, Alaska. February 2011 we saw 85 jumpers raise almost $20,000 which was then given to the Food Pantry of Wasilla and Turn A Leaf Thrift Stores. The Food Pantry provides emergency food supplies to families in need. Turn A Leaf has a medical lending equipment program which is now organized with software purchased with funds received. Both were grant recipients from the Mat Su Sertoma Club. Grant applications for the 2012 Mat Su Polar Plunge are located on our website: www.matsuplunge.com.

We have a wonderful club of volunteers! On a weekly basis you’ll find a Mat Su Sertoman at the Food Pantry, Wasilla Senior Campus, Valley Charities, helping Special Olympics and the list goes on and on! Our goal for 2011/2012 year is to raise more than, $25,000 in polar plunge funds.

You can pledge or sign up to jump! Just visit our website for more information.

Join us every other Thursday at 5:00pm at the Tailgaters Sports Bar and Grill. Our next meeting is Nov. 25th. We always have new speakers and a great time. See you there!

Take off Pounds Sensibly Non-Profit Weight Loss Support Group Three (3) Chapters meet weekly in the Valley.

Kathy Miller - 376-9571 or write to matsutops@webtv.net

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS)

Our mission is to educate and provide opportunities in our community to reduce, reuse, and recycle for the long-term good of all.

Our vision is to establish the Mat-Su Borough as a model recycling community for Alaska.

We are open for residential recycling Tuesday thru Friday 10:30am to 6:00pm and Saturday 10:30am to 3:30pm. Businesses can call ahead for hours. Your permanent community recycling center is located in our new green building at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, next to the animal shelter at the Central Landfill.

Volunteer opportunities available. community@valleyrecycling.org valleyrecycling.org - 745-5544

Valley Residential Services (VRS)

VRS provides special needs housing to individuals who experience behavioral or developmental disabilities, low-income levels or those who are homeless. VRS currently has 168 properties in the Mat-Su Valley with special programs to assist with rental assistance and we can assist with linking individuals to social service agencies who can assist with life skills programs.

(907) 357-0256 , valleyres.org

Alaska Attachment & Bonding Associates (AABA)

balanced meals to help people get back on their feet.

Wasilla Soil & Water Conservation District (WSWCD)

We also administer distribution of TEFAP government commodities. TEFAP is (The Emergency Food Assistance Program). This is a needs-based program, which Nov. be accessed monthly by any client who meets the government-established-qualifications.

Food distributed is based on availability and instructions from USDA.

The WSWCD is a non-profit formed in 1948 to assist landowners & land managers with conservation & development on land through technical assistance, projects & education programs & services. WSWCD is an active, year-round community-based organization; a non-regulatory agency; a strong partner with various government & non-profit agencies/ groups; a credible, knowledgeable advocate for conserving soil & water resources supported by the time & energy of neighbors & volunteers dedicated to making a positive difference in their communities.

In case of emergencies such as fire or earthquake in the valley, the Food Pantry of Wasilla also cooperates with other organizations and government agencies to render assistance.

Eddie Ezelle, 907-357-3769 Main 501 E.Bogard Rd., Wasilla www.foodpantryofwasilla.org

OUTDOORS North America Outdoor Institute

The North America Outdoor Institute (NAOI) is a not-for-profit community outreach organization providing outdoor safety and environmental awareness education programs for the general public in an effort to save lives from preventable outdoor injuries and deaths. Debra McGhan, debra@naoiak.org 376-2898 , www.naoiak.org

Alaskans For Palmer Hay Flats

Dedicated to conserving the natural and cultural resources of Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge through public awareness, year-round recreation and events, education and enhancement projects. Healthy, outdoor recreation in a safe, beautiful setting is what APH helps provide to all users.

Educates and supports foster, adoptive, kinship care, step, grand and guardianship parents and professionals who care for children with emotional mental health issues, such as Attachment Disorder. AABA provides workshops, e-mail/telephone support, resource/ referral information, self-advocacy, AABA website www.akattachment.org, RAVEN Respite, newsletters, brochures, lending library, and Mom2Mom/Dad2Dad parent support group.

For more information: Laura Wagner 907-376-0366

357-8711, alaskans@palmerhayflats.org www.palmerhayflats.org

The Homeless Actors of Mat-Su

Our monthly meetings usually include a guest speaker and/or a demonstration and fur handling information. Meetings which are held at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Palmer Library. Everyone is welcome to attend. www.akfrontiertrappers.com

HAMS, the Homeless Actors of Mat-Su, is a valley non-profit community theater group created to further theatrical opportunities for actors and technical personnel of all ages, be experienced or beginner and the audiences who have not been fully represented in the valley.

With local support we intend to produce a broad range of the atypical classical, modern, comic, dramatic and musical one act and full length plays and improvisational theater that are both educational and entertaining in the traditional and dinner theater format as fundraisers for various local causes and to continue to encourage development of the theater arts in the Mat-Su Valley.

Contact Elizabeth Clausen, General Manager, 841-4119; akhams@yahoo.com

Food Pantry of Wasilla

The mission of the Food Pantry of Wasilla is: “To provide persons who reside in the Matanuska Susitna Valley with needed supplemental food supplies. Food Pantry of Wasilla distributes goods to its clients in a manner which gives dignity to all.”

All distributions made by the Food Pantry of Wasilla shall be made notwithstanding any person’s race, color, sex, age, handicap, religious affiliation, or national origin.

Our hours of operation are: Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

We offer two food programs to residents of the Mat-Su Valley. We operate a communitysupplied food pantry, accepting cash and food donations from individuals and groups and supply clients with food for nutritionally-

Alaska Frontier Trappers Association

The Alaska Frontier Trappers Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the ethical and lawful practice of trapping Alaska’s fur bearers. We work to educate fellow trappers, children and the public in general about trapping as a necessary wildlife management and research tool.

CONSERVATION The Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center (AWBRC)

The Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center (AWBRC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that offers bird rescue and rehabilitation services for the growing Mat-Su Valley community.

Our mission is to rescue and care for injured, orphaned and sick wild birds with the goal of returning healthy birds back to their native habitats, and to educate the public about Alaska’s wild birds through live wild bird programs.

The Center is operated by dedicated volunteers helping to feed the birds, administer medical treatment, clean cages, and do whatever it takes to help these wild birds survive and gain strength for their eventual release or participation in our education program. Volunteers also plan and conduct fundraising events to keep the birds fed and warm. It’s all “for the birds.”

AWBRC has recently signed a long-term lease for 25 acres in the City of Houston, and is looking forward to the beginning phases of a permanent facility there. To volunteer, donate or for further information, contact AWBRC at 907.892.1670, 907.230.7049, or visit www.akwildbirdrehab.org

Our priorities are: Salmon enhancement & restoration; Soil, forage crops & manure testing; Stream & lake bank stabilization; Water quality & instream flows; Arbor Day activities & tree planting; Invasive weed assessments – land & water; Trail use & salmon stream crossings; Cooperator & community conservation needs; Public information, involvement & education. distmgr@wasillaswcd.org

JUNE 2014

United Way of Mat-Su

United Way provides information on available services through the 211 hotline and website www.alaska211.org and keep current and distribute the Mat-Sui Resource Guide. Our goal is to bring together individuals, companies and agencies to achieve measurable, positive, lasting results. We ask the community to LIVE UNITED which means all of us coming together to volunteer, advocate and give to create a brighter future for all. To find out more visit www.unitedwaymatsu.org or call 373-5807. The United Way of Matanuska Susitna Borough is physically located at 550 S Alaska Street Suite 205 Palmer, AK 99645.

TOPS

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

is a local small kitty rescue. We specialize in litters of kittens, and our facility is designed that way. We will take in litters from the community, and will assist in getting their mom cat spayed.

ALL of our kittens are up to date on vaccines, and have been spayed/ or neutered prior to adoptions. We are a 501c3, so any donations are tax deductible. If you are looking to adopt, or need help placing a litter, please call us! We are currently looking for help with computer type tasks, updating website, or updating our adoptions and monthly expences.

AK CAT 907-232-4444 www.akcat.org

provide grants to programs with these areas of focus and administer programs that improve early childhood education, reduce substance abuse and improve senior citizen nutrition. We supply Familywize prescription drug discount cards, which have saved people in the Mat-Su over $500,000 since its beginning.

To have your non-profit organization included in this free community resource list, please email your info to: makeasceneak@mac.com

The Valley Arts Alliance is a group of likeminded individuals who have joined together to encourage, sponsor, facilitate and support artistic expression.

PAGE 27

Valley Arts Alliance

Community

Fundraiser

Workshop: Health Care Reform: Impact on Small Businesses Wednesday, June 25 - 1:30pm-3pm 430 W 7th Ave STE 110 $20.00 - Alaska Small Business Development Center 907-274-7232 - www.aksbdc.org

Dance Party @ Alaska Dance Promotions Thursday, June 26th 8pm-11pm 300 E Dimond, Anchorage Dance cost $12.00 per person

Success 4th of July Parade – City of Wasilla July 4th – Iditapark Wasilla Mayor’s Picnic & Fireworks City of Wasilla FREE Food & Refreshments 33rd Annual Alaska Scottish Highland Games Saturday, Jun 28 8:00a Alaska State Fairgrounds Palmer, AK Alaska Summer Solstice Flyball Tourneys June 25 - 29, 2014 10 am - 4 pm Alaska State Fairgrounds, Purple Gate Palmer, AK FREE - 907-240-2640

Where’s Waldo -- in Palmer!

July 1st-31st - All day!

Fireside Books and Downtown Palmer 720 S Alaska St, Palmer, AK FREE - 907-745-2665 www.goodbooksbadcoffee.com Summer Haze 6 June 28 - 1PM Anchorage Community Works 349 E Ship Creek Ave, Anchorage

Fourth of July Festival / Mount Marathon Race Thursday, Jul 3 10:00a Anchorage, AK Annual July 4th celebration with the Mt. Marathon Race

closing of their Palmer business, Czar of Guitars. The list of individuals and businesses who donated money or silent auction items, or assisted with the fundraising in other ways, is too long to list. Many donations were anonymous.

We do want to mention a special thank you to Four Corners Lounge for hosting the event, the awesome musicians who played gratis:

Girdwood Forest Fair July 4-6, 2014 Starts at 10 am with Forest Fair Parade All over Girdwood Free Bear Paw Festival Wednesday, Jul 9 10:00a Downtown Eagle River A family friendly, free admission festival with events for everyone, including outdoor dance, car show, motorcycle exhibit & others.

Cruising With The Painted Ladies June 28 - 4-7 pm Town Square Art Gallery Carrs Mall, 591 E Parks Hwy, Wasilla

CONTINUED

2014 State of Alaska Governor’s Picnic July 11 4-7 pm Raven Hall, Alaska State Fairground Palmer, AK FREE Theory of a Deadman July 12 - 5 - 10 pm Chilkoot Charlie’s in the Chilkoot Charlie’s parking lot $35 in advance, $40 day of show

Ken Peltier, Against the Grain, Brooke Faulk, Shane LaBoucane, and Emily Barry.

Good music brings good times, and this was especially appreciated because of Rob and Margaret’s love and ongoing involvement in the world of music.

Appreciation also goes out to The Arkose Brewery, Kathy Mitchell of Country Legends 100.9, Rockin’ H Equestrian Facility, face-painter Kateri Houser, The Lead Dog and Gourmet-A-Go-Go.

> To all else who worked,

donated, bought, ate, danced, sang, or contributed in some way - you helped make this a success! Thank you to all.

Fundraiser Committee: Emily Barry, Betty Pierce, Julie Hopkins, Elizabeth Hutcheson

VPA’s Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony

PAGE 29

Community

continued

THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

> BEST ACTRESS-JACKIE COCHRAN

> BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS-JACKIE COCHRAN THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB

YEAR AWARD SUZANNE HERMON

> BEST PRODUCTION DIXIE SWIM CLUB

JUNE 2014

> VOLUNTEER OF THE

PAGE 30 www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Adventure

The Art of Ballooning over Cappadocia

By Carmen Summerfield

JUNE 2014

Cappadocia is a region of canyons, hills, and very, very unusual rock formations in eastern Anatolia, in the center of Turkey.

Over thousands of years, the soft rocks of Cappadocia near Göreme, Turkey have eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and minaret-like forms sometimes referred to as “Fairy Chimneys”.

Into this bizarre landscape of soft rocks, ancient peoples have carved out houses, stables, and stores. Linked with a network of tunnels, entire towns with as many as eight different levels evolved underground.

The first period of settlement goes back to the Roman period (when early Christians used this area as shelter and hideouts), but most of the existing buildings were carved into the rocks during the late 1700s.

The deep valleys and bizarre landscape of Cappadocia, combined with generally mild weather, has resulted in this region becoming one of the best places in the world to fly with a hot air balloon. Balloons can gently rise over and between the “Fairy Chimneys”, drift through the impressive valleys with their layered rock formations, gently rise upward for breathtaking views over the region, and carry you to places

“The pilot varies the height of the balloon, both for proper navigation, and also to provide a variety of viewing angles. Sometime you can even reach out and pick fruit from the trees!”

CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

PAGE 31

The Art of Ballooning CONTINUED carry the balloons over the more interesting formations.

So I was delighted when my sister arranged such a hot air balloon tour through Atmosfer Balloons in Goreme, Turkey. My sister researched this trip thoroughly, and assured me that Atmosfer Balloons is a leader among the professional hot air balloon companies in Cappadocia. They fly huge customdesigned balloons made by the Spanish company Ultra Magic, and feature traditional-appearing wicker gondolas that hold around 20 people.

The pilot varies the height of the balloon, both for proper navigation, and also to provide a variety of viewing angles. Sometime you can even reach out and pick fruit from the trees! If everything goes according to plan, the sun rises while you are in the air above those incredible “Fairy Chimneys”.

The trip starts at around 5am when the Atmosfer Balloons “ground crew” picks everyone up at their hotel and transports them to the launching site for a breakfast of fruit and pastries. The launching site varies daily, so that the winds will

The flight lasted about an hour, and the balloon drifted down to a landing that was remarkably smooth and precise. So precise that the pilot landed the gondola perfectly on the transport trailer!

Incredible! I could go on and on and, like the person who died and went to heaven, I can unreservedly recommend the trip.

Up, Up and Away!

Trendy Women’s Clothing & Accessories Sizes extra-small through 3x

20% off ANY 1 ITEM $25 OR MORE

Expires 7/31/2014 Cannot be combined with any other offer or sale items.

376-1550

Open 7 Days a Week

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

which would be unreachable with any other vehicle.

Celebrating 2 Years in Business! Thanks for your Support!

LOCATED IN WASILLA 1/2 MILE UP FROM MAIN ST., IN ThE FIShOOk PLAzA

JUNE 2014

Cruising with the

Painted

Ladies