Make A Scene January 2026 by The Peoples Paper

CREATIVITY ON THE RUNWAY: WEARABLE ART 2026

Contributed by Carmen Summerfield, Valley Arts Alliance

Mark your calendars—Wearable Art 2026 is just around the corner! On Saturday, February 21st, the Palmer Train Depot will transform into a vibrant stage for the 20th Annual Valley Arts Alliance Wearable Art and Runway Fashion Show.

Witness the ingenuity of local artists and designers at one of two exciting performances—a matinee at 3 PM or an evening show at 7 PM. Tickets are $15 per person for each performance. For the 3 PM matinee only, children 12 years old and under will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. We expect both shows to sell out, so please purchase your tickets early! Tickets are available now at Fireside Books in

Palmer, or at My House / Gathering Grounds Café in Wasilla.

Wearable Art blends creativity and craftsmanship to produce stunning, one-of-a-kind garments designed to be worn as artistic expressions. From bold colors and fabrics to unexpected, non-traditional materials, these wearable masterpieces will take to the runway with narration and music, bringing each design to life. Interested in showcasing your talent? Sign up now to become a model or present your own creation! Explore past creations and find inspiration by visiting the Archive Pages at www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com. That’s Wearable Art 2026, happening Saturday, February 21st, at the Palmer Train Depot. Don’t miss this celebration of art, fashion, and community! Support the arts in the Valley and secure your tickets today!

VALLEY’S GOT TALENT: THIS IS FOR YOU

Contributed by Elizabeth Stout

Last November, we announced that Valley’s Got Talent was coming to the Mat-Su. This is the follow-up, but more importantly, this is the invitation.

Because Valley’s Got Talent isn’t about finding the single best performer in the Valley. It’s about something much simpler and much more joyful: showing up, having fun, and sharing what you love to do. This is meant to be fun — fun to try, fun to watch, fun to cheer for.

Every community has talent hiding in plain sight, and ours is no exception. It lives in living rooms and garages, classrooms and kitchens. It’s the song someone sings just for themselves, the routine a kid practices until it finally clicks, the talent someone hasn’t shared out loud yet — not because it isn’t good, but because they’ve never had a reason to. This is your reason.

Valley’s Got Talent was created to celebrate creativity in all its forms and to give people a chance to feel proud, even a little brave. It’s a place to be cheered on, to be laughed with, not at, and to be reminded that sharing something you love can feel really, really good.

You don’t need to be polished. You don’t need to be professional. You don’t need to prove anything. If you have something you enjoy doing — something that makes you smile, or makes others smile when you do it — there is space for you here. If you’ve caught yourself thinking, “This probably isn’t for me,” we want you to pause. If you sing, dance, play an instrument, tell stories, write poetry, perform magic, make people laugh, or do something that doesn’t fit neatly into a category, yes, this is for you — especially if you’ve never done something like this before. Let’s talk honestly about the video submission, because that part tends to feel bigger than it actually is. Your video does not need to be fancy. It does not need professional lighting, editing, or a stage. Filming on your phone is more than enough. Your living room, backyard, or rehearsal space is perfect. One take is completely okay. We are not judging production quality. We’re not looking for perfection. We’re simply looking to see what you do and to imagine how much fun it will be to watch you do it. If a friend asked you to show them your talent and you could do it right

where you are, that’s exactly the level we’re hoping for.

The Mat-Su Valley is growing. It’s busy, bursting at the seams, full of people doing incredible things every day. Valley’s Got Talent is a chance to pause, gather, and say: look at us, look at what we can do, look at how much fun it is to share it. This event only works if the Valley shows up. It works when people are willing to step forward, feel proud of what they’ve been practicing, and let others cheer them on. So consider this your friendly challenge: where are you hiding? Come show off for us. You don’t need to be ready or perfect — you just need to press record and have a little fun.

Video submissions are open now through Feb. 14, and we can’t wait to see what the Valley brings. Because Valley’s Got Talent isn’t about proving something — it’s about celebrating together. Visit mascotarts.org for more info.

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

HELP US GROW OUR CALENDAR!

Submit your event and we’ll print it in the next edition!

JANUARY

January 19 @ 1PM

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration

Mat-Su MLK, Jr. Foundation, Inc.

Glenn Massay Theater, 8295 E. College Dr., 4700 N McKean Drive www.matsumlkjr.org (907) 841-2129

January 20 @ 1PM

Community Hike: 50ish and Over:

Crevasse Moraine

Revel Treks & Tours

Crevasse-Moraine Trailhead, N Loma Prieta Dr community@revelak.com (907) 903-1664

Free for Revel Adventure Club members & first timers; all others $12. Must register to attend.

January 21 @ 12PM

Matanuska Lakes Fat Bike Ride

Revel Treks & Tours

Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area, 4376 Glenn Hwy community@revelak.com (907) 903-1664

Free for Revel Adventure Club members and first-timers; all others $15.

January 24 @ 6:30PM

Wine & Wicks

Spunky Monkey Alaska

Spunky Monkey Alaska, 449 W Parks Hwy info@spunkymonkeyak.com (907) 357-0711

Cost: $50

January 23 @ 5PM

64th State Winter Carnival in Willow Willow Area Community Organization 23557 Willow Community Center Cir brendalmccain@gmail.com (907) 355-1418

Cost: $1 Parking Fee

January 25 @ 2PM

Intro to Snowshoeing: Gold Mint Outing

Revel Treks & Tours

Gold Mint Trailhead, Fishhook-Willow Rd community@revelak.com

$25 if you bring snowshoes. $40 if you rent a pair. Adventure Club members receive a 10% discount.

January 28 @ 8PM

The Horsenecks & Hannah Read

Anchorage Folk Festival

49th State Brewing, 717 W 3rd Ave (907) 321-1541

Cost: $25

January 31st @10:00am-6:00pm & February 1st @ 11:00-5:00

Alaska Farm & Garden Show

MATSU Events, Alaska Farm Supply

Raven Hall at the Alaska State Fairgrounds akfarmandgarden.com

FEBRUARY

February 3 @ 10:30AM

Valley Garden Club Regular Meeting

Valley Garden Club

Grace Community Church, 900 Leatherleaf (907) 982-7570

Cost: $20 membership fee

February 4 @ 12PM

Cross-Country Ski Social: Archangel

Revel Adventure Club

Archangel Rd. Winter Trailhead, N Palmer Fishhook Rd community@revelak.com (907) 903-1664

February 5 @ 6PM-9PM

“Jeans & Jewels” Trivia Fundraiser Denali Family Services

O’Malley’s on the Green, 3651 O’Malley’s on the Green, Anchorage (907) 274-8281

Tickets available at denalifs.networkforgood.com

February 6 @ 4PM

First Friday Art Show for Gynecologic

Cancer Awareness

Let Every Woman Know

Georgia Blue Gallery, 3555 Arctic Boulevard leteverywomanknow@gmail.com (907) 802-9223

February 7 @ 11AM

Ladies-Only Hike: Gold Mint Trail in Hatcher Pass

Revel Adventure Club

Gold Mint Trailhead, Fishhook-Willow Rd community@revelak.com (907) 903-1664

Cost: Free for Revel Adventure Club members and first-timers, all others $15.

February 7 @ 8PM

Mardi Gras Themed Benefit Concert

Let Every Woman Know

The Foundry, 6239 B St leteverywomanknow@gmail.com

Cost: $50

February 13 @ 6-8:30PM

Reach 907 Gala

Reach 907

Wasilla Bible Church, 1651 W. Nicola Ave (907)-521-5561

February 27 @10AM

Spring Cleaning Couples Workshop

Seasons of Life Counseling, LLC

3719 Meridian Loop Ste F info@seasonsoflifecounselingllc.com (907) 313-7537

Cost: $325

Funnies

Ariana, 10 Kiara, 5

MAT-SU YOUTH ORCHESTRA FALL REGISTRATION

Contributed by Brenda Davis

Are you a young musician wanting to improve your technical skills and build your musicianship? If so, look no further than the Mat-Su Youth Orchestra. Our nonprofit intermediate-level orchestra is a great place for aspiring musicians to enhance their large-group performance skills.

The Mat-Su Youth Orchestra was formed in 2009 by a group of music teachers who realized the need for a youth orchestra in the Valley. Fred and Carolyn Harding invited young private string students to play a string jamboree every year with the adult group, and it blossomed from that rewarding experience.

Kai West, Judy Montalbano, Debbie Davis, and Kim Levesque are founding members and are still current board members, with Kai being the orchestra conductor. Kai says, “We play all styles of music and often take suggestions from the students. We play classical, folk, cinema, Broadway tunes, opera, rock, and more.”

This semester MSYO will be directed by retired Colony Middle School music teacher Mr. Toby Lambert and will be combining with the adult Matanuska Orchestra for a joint spring concert. MSYO is open to all ages from 12 to 102. It’s never too late to learn. We’re dedicated to providing accessible music education to young musicians. The group meets at Iditarod Elementary School on Mondays from 6:30–8 p.m. during the school year. They perform two concerts each year, one winter and one spring. Concerts are held at Valley Performing Arts.

Registration for the spring semester of the 2026 school year will be Jan. 12 and 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Iditarod Elementary School. The fee for the semester is $100, which covers the cost of music and copy fees. Please bring a letter of recommendation from a school music teacher or private instructor that speaks to your experience and will vouch for your readiness to participate in MSYO. Rehearsal begins Jan. 12. Join us and take your talent to the next level.

THE RISING RHYTHM OF WASILLA HIGH SCHOOL BAND

Contributed by Wasilla high School Band

The Wasilla High School Band program is growing and flourishing in its third year under director Tyler Martin. In addition to the Marching and Pep Bands visible at football, basketball, and sometimes hockey games, the program has much to offer. It boasts a large symphonic band, multiple percussion classes, and a concert band for new students. Marching Band and Pep Bands also take place outside of the school day. There is a place for every level of musician at WHS.

Martin, recipient of the NFHS Outstanding Music Educator Award for the State of Alaska in 2025, shares that there are around 60 students in the program this year between bands, percussion, and classes. He is excited about the increased participation and musicianship: “We have met the challenge of replacing graduates with new talented freshmen. We have a lot of young students in our bands this year, but they are playing just as strong as previously, if not even stronger.”

Growing in numbers and scope, the band is able to be present in more places. This year they performed at two different marching invitationals, one in Kenai and one at Colony High School. Multiple students have placed in the Alaska All-State Band for three years in a row, and several WHS band students have also participated with the Mat-Su Concert Band in performances throughout the summer and school year. An important part of music education is having the opportunity to perform. Wasilla High Bands get out into the community whenever possible, including the Wasilla 4th of July Parade, Wasilla City Tree Lighting, senior centers, and satellite schools. The band program is currently raising funds for travel expenses, supplies, and an equipment trailer to help move instruments between the school and various performance locations. WHS band classes produce fantastic music with two end-of-semester concerts and their annual Mardi Gras Dinner Fundraiser.

The Mardi Gras Dinner is a big event for the program and its booster club. The gymnasium is transformed into a New Orleans dining hall filled with food and music. There is a live auction where senior band members take on roles in the event, and tables are lined with silent auction items. This event is successful because of community support. Students request sponsorships and auction items directly

from local businesses, and many community members share that they once played instruments and are eager to support band students.

This year’s Mardi Gras Dinner is February 7 at 6 p.m. at Wasilla High. Tickets are available from any band member, online, or at the door. They are actively looking for auction donations and program sponsors and welcome new community partnerships and support.

With all of the wonderful growth, the band program has some needs arising. Martin shared, “With how often we are performing outside the school, we really could benefit from owning our own enclosed equipment trailer, and we have decided we are going to be raising funds to purchase one as soon as possible. As always, we will continue to raise funds to repair and replace instruments in our aging inventory. It is imperative that our students always have a quality instrument for practice and performances. In addition to those needs, this year we borrowed multiple marching brass instruments from other schools so that we had enough for our marching band. We would love to be able to purchase enough to not have to do that anymore.”

Wasilla’s Band and its booster club work throughout the school year to raise money for the program by running a coffee cart at football and basketball games, hosting bake sales, with the Mardi Gras Dinner, and through direct sponsorships to the nonprofit. Tickets for the February 7 Mardi Gras Dinner are available from any band member or online at warrior-music-booster-inc.square.site. For those looking to support the Wasilla Band through auction donations, personal donations, or business sponsorships, please reach out to Tyler Martin at Wasilla High School at 907-352-8200 or tyler.martin@matsuk12.us.

THE BRIGHT LIGHTS BOOK PROJECT: THE TIME/SPACE CONTINUUM

Contributed by Alys Culhane

The former banquet room of the Historic Eagle Hotel has, in the past year, been on a growth spurt, one that complements its core purpose, which is “to envision literacy to change lives by making books accessible to appreciative readers of all ages.” This is reflected in our use of available hotel space.

Last summer the BLBP partnered with the Alaska Literacy Program, which is located in Anchorage. Since 1974, nonprofit staff and volunteers have taught adults to read, write, and speak English. ALP provides pathways to employment, professional training, and post-secondary education; they also help their ESL clients access healthcare, become citizens, and navigate their new home country.

ALP recruits, trains, certifies, and supports volunteer teachers who work hand-inhand with staff to help these English Language Learners reach their educational goals. ALP now also has a presence in the Mat-Su Valley.

ALP works with adults and the BLBP works with children. ALP decided to share space which the BLBP previously used for book storage and shelving, subsequently turning it into a practical and welcoming work area.

The ALP/BLBP quasi-merger has become a partnership that we all hope other nonprofits will emulate. I presumed that when we teamed up ALP would occupy the former banquet room space in the mornings and that the BLBP would occupy the space in the afternoons, and that we would subsequently just go about our business. The ALP and the BLBP now share space, staff, and information. For example, ALP Computer Specialist Lawrence Giron is now the BLBP Volunteer Coordinator. We also refer new volunteers to one another’s organizations. A mutual love of books has further solidified our partnership.

We have also turned a former hotel supply closet into what I am now calling the BLBP Literacy Annex. It houses vintage children’s books, eBay books, and books that have been set aside for our village and overseas programs (in the past year we’ve sent books to Kenya, the Philippines, India, and Belize). It also contains books that we use in our Storytime sessions.

There is yet another BLBP expansion effort on the horizon. BLBP Artist-in-Residence Cathy Stone and I are calling it the Bright Lights Book Project Gallery. Cathy and I met three years ago at the Palmer Senior Center and discovered we had many commonalities, one of which is a love of children’s book illustrations. The BLBP had an abundance of vintage books that had torn, moldy, and well-worn pages. The Big Foot Art Gallery/Pia’s Custom Framing gave us innumerable pieces of odd-sized

matt board upon which we mounted pristine vintage illustrations.

A question surfaced a few weeks ago as Cathy and I looked at boxes of her artwork, some of which included greeting cards, placards, and frameable art. With permission from the hotel owners, we decided to set up a gallery exhibit on the Eagle Hotel lobby wall. We will also include a sign noting that artwork and cards are available by donation inside the former banquet room.

I do not know what the future holds space-wise for the BLBP. I continue to envision a larger venue, a building that will enable the BLBP and the ALP to hold events, conferences, and classes. In addition, it will contain rental space, which the BLBP will use to house partners, and will have room for the thousands of books we will undoubtedly store and process. For now, as hotel space becomes available, we’ll put it to use in ways that complement our core purpose.

Alys Culhane is the Executive Director of the Bright Lights Book Project and an ideas person. She spent the first season’s windstorm in the Eagle Hotel, where it was warm, and watched the hotel dumpster blow across the parking lot. She is considering writing a children’s book about this from the perspective of the hotel ravens, who temporarily lost sight of their primary food source.

THE HORSENECKS & HANNAH READ

Contributed by JP Ostman

The Horsenecks and award-winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Hannah Read are coming together for a special one-night-only downtown Anchorage concert at 49th State Brewing. Keep your Folk Week spirit glowing with this all-ages show in the ballroom. The show is Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. Tickets are $20 in advance online and $25 at the door. The Horsenecks are Gabrielle Macrae and Barry Southern. Based in Astoria, Oregon, they are multi-instrumentalists from traditional music backgrounds who have found a sound weaving early Appalachian fiddle and banjo music, country, classic bluegrass, and original folk. They continue to set a new standard in today’s traditional music scene with years of touring, appearances at major festivals in the U.S. and the U.K., and four critically acclaimed studio albums. Sample tracks include Wave the Ocean, Wave the Sea and Mountain Rain.

Hannah Read is an award-winning fiddle and guitar player, songwriter, singer, and composer from Scotland, now based in Anchorage. She has performed with artists spanning multiple genres including Lord Huron, Big Thief, Julien Baker (Boygenius), Lucy Dacus (Boygenius), Torres, Sarah Jarosz, Tony Trischka, Cassandra Jenkins, Lola Kirke, Andy Monaghan (Frightened Rabbit), and Nora Brown. She was part of the BBC Folk Award-winning supergroup album Songs of Separation and performed on The Daily Show this spring. Sample tracks include Apple Blossom , Who Knows Where the Time Goes , and Sinkhorn.

VALLEY PERFORMING ARTS DINNER THEATRE EVENT

Contributed by Jenna Worley

Back by popular demand, Valley Performing Arts is offering another on-site dinner theater experience this season. Rex’s Exes is a comedic play that follows the Verdeen cousins of Sweetgum, Texas, as they navigate a series of hilarious and chaotic events surrounding a surprise birthday party that unexpectedly turns into a funeral. Rex’s Exes is written by the famous trio of Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, and directed by longtime veteran director and VPA Board member Dave Nufer. This Southern-fried farce centers on Gaynelle, Peaches, and Jimmie Wyvette. As they prepare for Gaynelle’s surprise 50th birthday party, things take a wild turn when the party plans shift to a hastily organized family funeral instead. The plot thickens with the unexpected return of Peaches’ supposedly deceased husband, revealing romantic ties to each of the cousins. A series of comedic mishaps ensue, including a Cajun bounty hunter and a jilted bride with a paintball gun. Grab a friend or two and get your tickets at vpaalaska.org while they’re still available. You won’t want to miss out on this night of laughter paired with good food and tasty drinks. Performance dates are February 20 through March 8. Rex’s Exes is generously sponsored by the ClockTower Shops.

MESSAGE IN THE BONES FOR 2026 – THE YEAR AHEAD

Contributed by Tamara Zenobia

So, I threw the bones for the year ahead, and let me tell you, they were very clear. This message has been ringing in my ear for a few weeks now. The message was real simple: stay focused. That’s it. That’s the word. No long speech. No drama. Just focus.

Now listen. This isn’t a message to ignore what is going on in the world. The news is loud, social media is louder, and everybody’s got an opinion, a think piece, and a hot take. Every day it’s something new to be mad about, worried about, or arguing over. And meanwhile, life is still lifting. Bills are still due. Dreams are still waiting. Time is still moving.

The bones were very clear about this: the world is going to turn no matter what. It always has. Sitting around all day talking about how bad things are is not a plan. It might feel productive, but it doesn’t actually produce anything. 2026 will be the year to get real serious about your life. What are you working toward? What are you building? What needs your attention that you keep putting off?

Because here’s the truth that showed up in the bones: distraction is the biggest dream-killer out there. Not failure. Not fear. Distraction. Watching everything, reacting to everything, and never actually moving on anything.

We live in a time where thoughts travel fast. Words move fast. One post, one video, one idea can circle the globe in minutes. And that means what we focus on, what we keep repeating, sharing, and saying, has power. A lot of it.

The bones say, be careful what you keep feeding. If you stay glued to chaos, chaos grows. If you keep talking like everything is doomed, your spirit starts believing it. But if you stay focused on vision, purpose, and what you are called to do, something different starts to happen. That’s not magic talk. That’s real life. 2026 is about having a plan, even a small one, especially a small one, and then working on it. Not perfectly. Just consistently. Once again, the message is not to ignore the world like

nothing is happening. The message is asking you not to lose yourself in it. Guard your mind. Limit the noise. Do what you need to do to stay grounded. Turn the news off sometimes. Put the phone down. Check back in with your own life.

This is a year where the people who stay focused, who keep their eyes on their own paper, are going to look up one day and realize they’ve moved farther than they thought possible. So let the world do what it does. You stay focused. Keep building. Mind your vision like it’s precious, because it is.

And that is my reading for not only the month but the general energy for the whole year. As always, thank you for reading. If you have a question you’d like to share for the paper, reach out to me at tamarazenobia.com. Happy New Year.

Alaska Animal Advocates

www.alaskaanimaladvocates.com (907)841-3173

Alaska Animal Advocates is a non-profit group of dedicated volunteers who are devoted to enriching the lives of companion animals in Alaska.

In order to do this, we will place homeless pets in loving environment, adress medicals concerns, spay or neuter, microchip, vaccinate, and offer training as is needed.

We believe that every animal deserves a loving home, for his/her entire life and Alaska Animal Advocates will provide the resources to make this happen. In order to make this mission possible, we need the help of volunteers and foster homes.

Alaska

Center

for the Blind and Visually Impaired Seniors

www.alaskabvi.org (907) 771-4322

The Alaska Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired provides blind and low vision Alaskans tools to eliminate vision loss as a barrier to employment, independent living, and community participation. It is the only statewide training and resource center for vision rehabilitation. In the Mat-Su Valley we sponsor two monthly support groups for socialization and informational activities, titled “Living Well with Vision Loss”, meeting at the Wasilla Area Seniors and the Palmer Senior Center. Low Vision Clinics demonstrating low vision devices and home assessment visits for independent living are offered to those who qualify and who have uncorrectable vision loss.

Alaska Community Development Corporation www.alaskacdc.org (907) 746-5680

Alaska Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit agency located in Palmer, AK. Our focus is housing assistance for low-income households in Alaska. We offer housing assistance to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and most areas in Southcentral Alaska and to rural areas in Southeast and Southwest Alaska. Our housing assistance includes home weatherization; housing accessibility improvements for seniors and disabled households; & homeownership assistance including home purchase assistance, home building assistance and home loan packaging.

Our housing assistance helps to keep people safely in their homes and helps low-income households move into home ownership. All assistance is free to eligible households.

Connect Mat-Su www.connectmatsu.org (907)373-2628

Connect Mat-Su is a program of the Mat-Su Health Foundation that provides access to information and referrals specific to the local community.

Assistance is available in the areas of care, education, food, health, housing, legal services, social connection, transportation, work, and more. It is a network that is both a physical and virtual resource center linking residents to the things needed to thrive physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.

Connect Palmer, Inc. www.connectpalmer.org (907) 746-9675

Connect Palmer is a Christ Centered Training Center and Housing for Women, located in downtown Palmer.

Connect Palmer’s t wo primary programs are God’s Work Desgin, and LIFE Connect. We also have Sarah’s House, a safe and caring place for ladies without homes to live while they participate in our back to work and life skills programs.

We also offer different community assistance programs, such as The Locker, to provide personal care and basic house hold cleaning items, and Scarlet Tapestries which offers basic sewing skills instructions. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Matanuska Electric Association Charitable Foundation (MEACF) www.mea.coop/connect/operation-roundup (907) 761-9300

Join MEA members in making a big impact with small change! Since 2011, the Operation RoundUp® program has raised over $2.5 million in grants for local organizations. By rounding up your electric bill to the nearest dollar each month, you can help support vital community programs and initiatives. Every penny stays local, funding projects that benefit the communities powered by ME A.

The MEA Charitable Foundation Board, made up of dedicated MEA member volunteers, reviews grant applications quarterly and awards funding to deserving causes. To apply for a grant or learn more about how to participate, visit our website today!

Mat-Su Health Foundation www.healthymatsu.org (907) 352-2863

The mission of the Mat-Su Health Foundation is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su. The tools we use include grantmaking, convening of local par tners, and policy change.

We have generated significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services. Visit w ww.healthymatsu.org to learn about scholarship and funding opportunities.

MYHouse Mat-Su Youth Housing www.myhousematsu.org

(907)373-4357

MY House is a youth drop-in center in Wasilla that serves at-risk youth ages 14-25 from around the State of Alaska. We provide stable housing to youth that are couch surfing, unstably housed, living outside, sleeping in cars, or residing in generally unsafe situations. Our organization also gives our clients access to comprehensive wrap-around services, with on-site case management, peer support, substance abuse treatment, shower and laundry services, and meal assistance. Furthermore, we provide job training and assist with highschool completion both on and off-site. We also provide substance abuse treatment for individuals 18-25 in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Onward & Upward www.onwardandupward.org email: info@onwardandupward.org (907) 953-5360

Onward & Upward is an evidence-based, accredited, 501c3 nonprofit organization based in the Mat-Su Valley. Our mission is to establish a culture of “One Health” in Alaska through evidence-based action. We accomplish this by engaging our students in adventurous, inspiring, meaningful, and empowering experiences with varying degrees of challenge methodically designed for positive growth and development.

We offer a diverse range of course offerings from open enrollment summer adventure courses, professional development courses, to year-round after-school and homeschool opportunities. Check out our website at www.onwardandupward.org for more information!

Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community Program (907) 631-8591

www.specialolympicsalaska.org

The Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community Program is an accredited program of Special Olympics Alaska, Inc., a 501c (3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide year-round sports training and competition to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In the Mat-Su Valley, there are 137 active Special Olympics Alaska athletes and 56 Unified partners (non-disabled peers) that train and compete in 12 sports year-round. There is no cost to participate for qualifying athletes. For more information on the Mat-Su Community Program, please call 907-631-8591, email matsu@ specialolympicsalaska.org or visit us on social media@soakmatsu.

United Way of Mat-Su (907) 373-5807

ww w.unitedwaymatsu.org

550 S Alaska St., Suite 205 Palmer AK

United Way of Mat-Su strives to make our community a place where all individuals can thrive. We focus on the building blocks of education, financial stability, health for all, providing resource assistance, community collaboration and advocacy, outreach and engagement across the health, human, and social services spectrum.

Early childhood and family support, youth programs, grants for non-profits, and disaster relief; Mat-Su Valley Resource Guide; volunteer opportunities; Stuff the Bus; Project Homeless Connect, and more. Call for more information on Thrive Mat-Su Mat-Su Coalition, Early Childhood Partnership, Youth 360, and the Alaska Wellness Coalition.

Valley Charities, Inc.

www.valleycharities.org

400 N Yenlo Street, Wasilla AK

Valley Charities, Inc: Connecting those who need help with the help they need. Valley Charities, Inc. (VCI) oversees a locally owned nonprofit Thrift Store, turn-A-leaf. VCI Re-entry Program assists ex-offenders to become successful citizens helping to stabilize a home, work, personal needs, and basic council. Our Homelessness Prevention Program provides financial assistance creating housing stability for Valley residents. Lastly, our Durable Medical Equipment Lending

Program supports our residents with short term equipment loans to help with their recovery from illness and injuries.

Housing Assistance: 907-354-4660; Re-Entry Assistance: 907-232-7125; Durable Medical Equipment Lending Program, see our website: valleycharities.org

Valley Arts Alliance www.valleyartsalliance.com

Valley Arts Alliance, bringing the community together through the arts... We are a place for both new and established artists of all t ypes - 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. Join us at our informal weekly meetings, every Thursday @ 11 at Lekker, located at 105 S Valley Way Unit 3, Palmer. Next to 203 Kombucha. Check out our archives at www.valleyartsalliance.com

Valley Recycling Valley Community for Recycling Solutions

www.valleyrecycling.org (907) 745-5544

REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE! Drop off your clean, separated recycling Mon-Fri 9:30 to 5 and Saturday 8 to 5. We accept cardboard boxes, aluminum beverage cans, magazines, this newspaper and more!

We are located at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, near the MSB Central Landfill, just past the MSB Animal Care Shelter. Follow the smells. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Become a member, visit our classroom, schedule a field trip, find out more about volunteer opportunities and ways you can make a difference in your community. #dontfeedthelandfills. Go to our website for more details.

Victory Bible Camp

www.vbcalaska.org (907) 745-4203 info@vbcalaska.org

Victory Bible Camp exists to evangelize and disciple children, youth and adults in Alaska for Jesus Christ through Christian camping. We offer programs for everyone from 2nd grade through high school. Check out our website at vbcalaska.org or call us at (907) 745-4203 to learn more about our upcoming programs!

Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc.

www.wasillaseniors.com (907) 376-3104

Wasilla Area Seniors mission is to provide for the lives of seniors living in the Matanuska Susistna Valley and to enable seniors to live as independently as possi-ble for as long as possible.

WASI provides services, resources, and activities to promote health and independence such as Club50 Fit-ness Center. Club50 is for individuals 50 years of age and older and provides clean, accessible exercise equipment and offers a variety of FREE fitness classes for seniors of all skill and mobility levels. For more information, give us a call or find us on Facebook.

WINTER MISTRESS

Contributed by Robert Lyons

Frozen gusts ripping through trees

Like lust in lovers still naïve

Naked ground lay uncovered

Vulnerable to the whipping breeze

Aching with the fear of losses

Knees shaking at the cost to abandon Fantasies warm the soul at core but extremities blacken as the cold comes forth The Great Land exposes her mighty treasures leaving icy hearts void of pleasure

THE ROCK

Contributed by Marjorie Bussman

To be a rock means

Listening to others

Being there for them at all times.

Never telling your fears as it would fall on deaf ears.

To be a rock is hard but a rock is not forever It gets ground down with time.

Soon the rock is sand and then it’s gone.

THE ROCK

Contributed by Marjorie Bussman

To be a rock means Listening to others

Being there for them at all times.

Never telling your fears as it would fall on deaf ears. To be a rock is hard but a rock is not forever It gets ground down with time.

Soon the rock is sand and then it’s gone.

THE ALASKAN BREEZES

Contributed by Yvonne Moss

The Alaskan breezes begin to sing, The Northeast wind flows free. With nothing to impede it’s path, It develops a mind of its own.

Hear the wind, see the trees let go Of boughs and branch’s, they shed. Dependent on your location, has an effect On velocity and the chill it creates.

A person will vow, “It’s an 80 mph gust!”

While another will counter, “It’s over a hundred!”

There is no denying the sound that it makes, Screams and hollers, rattles and tremors galore — Sounding completely unreal!

Which ever speed the wind may be, Its evidence is apparent to see.

A roof joist here, a semi-trailer there, They have been moved from place-to-place. With its abandoned energy, movement is effortless, Knowing no bounds, scattering people and things! As the breezes subside, there’s no way hide The damage that is on display. It’s time to clean up, the puzzle that’s made, Will it be fixed where it belongs or replaced?

SLUG

Contributed by Marilyn Bennett

Sometimes I Feel like a Slug Sometimes I Don’t I Think of Moving Fast But Know I Won’t I Like to Saunter On Why Walk So Fast Who Needs to Be the First? I’m Fine With Last

I Never Slip Nor Fall As Others Do Some think I Am A Slug It Might Be True

I Could Transform Myself Or At Least Try But Then I’d Have to Ask Oh Why, Oh Why, Oh Why?

MALIGNS

Contributed by Katherine Baker

Evil emotion to describe, shameful it is, yet still survives, clings to that which does undermine, the goodness inside hate maligns.

Hate does not dissipate, suddenly it impersonates, a wide range of dark, covert frills, cunning & skilled are human ills.

ANT

Contributed by Katherine Baker

The little red ant, there’s not much that he can’t, while his enemies rant, and the on-lookers chant, he proceeds in a frant’, succumbs to a pant, as the murmuring’s slants, be a failure he shan’t, gallant red ant.

THE WIND-BEAST

Contributed by Anthony Irsik Matanuska, Alaska’s daughter, Looked on Valley and harbor, And shifted the air above and below, Summoning Uassiaq to go

The north wind answered with love and peace, But Anger roared from the east, They were Akutaq Uassiaq, Which Anger poisoned to muck.

A beast was born of this mixing wind, Hungering for Mat-Su’s children, It rushed down the mountain’s face, And howled at the human race.

It dove low then swirled up high, Gnashing upon the powerlines, Thrashing at trees, casting debris, And screaming at the upward sea.

A quarter of the light was swiftly extinguished, By the chill air it breathed, Siphoning heat from everyone’s homes, Leaving them greatly exposed.

In response the valley called for heroes, To fight in less than zero, And answered they, the linemen few, MEA’s only crew.

They stepped out in the monsters breath, Enduring frozen death, To face the beast that came to scourge, The Valley of peaceful words.

They rose high to meet the foe, That blew away the snow Without glory but duty to fill They set against the wind’s whirl

But sometime man cannot kill the beast, So they repair and limit the disease, Countering every blow that’s struck, Till it ends by God or luck.

But for those who suffered without repair, Whose light was dark and rare, They sought shelter from monster harsh, In homes of Glenn, then Menard.

After three days Northwind took hold, Grasping the neck, cold, Of Angry East that raged and roiled, Taking him away from our soil. We took the moment to rebuild and renew, Our preparation for windstorm two, We knew North couldn’t hold East, Akutak Uasiaq would un-cease

Five days North held strong, Not forever long, The weekend followed with raging storm, East ruled once more.

Twice North took over and fled, Above the mountains head

Twice more East returned, The storm was not adjourned.

Finally Uaspataq stepped in, He rebuked the wind, And silence fell on the Valley, our home, Where thankfulness grows.

But a warning I extend to thee, Denizens of the Valley, The Wind will mix again, So let preparation be your friend

FUN MAGIC SHOWS!

Poetry & Prose

USEFUL IDIOTS

Contributed by Nan Potts

A scheme designed for social control, Creating the Social State, it’s goal. Taking the extant of people’s lives, Eight levels obtain its dear prize. To care for the care of people’s health, Controls the people and their wealth. Hiking taxes thrusts poverty high, Curbs the poor, on the State rely. Unsupported debt surges the tax, Poverty rises, not relax.

Rid self-defense by forced gun control, A Police State now, won’t let go. Engage in people’s welfare, all, Home, food and income then will stall. Control what people read and listen, Checks children’s learning, none’ll glisten. Humans thrive, belief in God as head, Ride in State and halls, all are dead. Divide the people, Haves and Have-nots, Tax the rich and the poor’s hope rots. Alinsky* simplified Lenin’s scheme, Communism’s ruling regime. Stalin’s converts produced useful fools, “Useful Idiots”, his slaying tools. Aiding in their countrymen’s demise, Millions dead, governance his guise. They are here today seizing power, control, Razing nations ‘round their patrol.

“It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.”

- Voltaire

Saul Alinsky (1909 - 1972)

Rules For Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer (1971)

WIND HAIKU

Contributed by Diana Bailey

My choir, Cantora Arctica, was tasked with writing Haiku for our winter concert about snow. I was not planning to participate, but the first of these horrid windstorms inspired me and once I started, I could not stop….

Snow falls lovely white

Vicious winds blast and destroy Slick hard ice remains

Oh how the snow flies

Drifting over fallen trees

When will the wind stop

Howling and blasting

The wind makes the trees bend

In unwanted dance

Swirling and flying

Snow becomes sandpaper ice

Why do we live here

Gusting blowing wind