Make A Scene Magazine June 2019

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FAITH:

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 two primary programs are God’s Work Design, and LIFE Connect. We also have Sarah’s House, which 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 assistant programs, such as The Locker, to provide personal care and basic house hold cleaning items and Scarlet Tapestries which offers basic sewing skills instruction. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

OTHER Mat-Su Health Services, Inc. www.mshsak.org (907) 376-2411 Dedicated to improving the health of our community, one person at a time – through affordable medical, dental and behavioral health care.The clinic is a Federally qualified Health Care Center and we accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most other third-party insurances. For those who qualify, there is a sliding scale payment, based on household income.

We offer early morning and evening appointments appointment. You can also contact our 24/7 behavioral crisis intervention line by calling the main number: 376-2411.

PETS & ANIMALS:

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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 environments, address medical 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.

FAMILIES & CHILDREN:

ARTS:

Denali Family Services

Valley Arts Alliance

291 East Swanson Ave. Wasilla, AK 907-222-2331 or eolivares@denalifs.org Denali Family Services provides therapeutic foster care to Alaskan children with mental health needs. If you are committed to working with a team, receiving training and implementing positive interventions to schoolage children and teens, we need your talents and skills.

We are in search of professional, therapeutic foster parents who are willing to make a commitment to the children of Alaska by providing a stable home environment.

For more information, please call or email our Foster Care Recruiter, Ernestina D. Olivares, at 907-222-2331 or eolivares@denalifs.org.

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 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.

Join us at our informal weekly meetings, every Thursday @ 11 at Sophia’s Cafe, 9191 E Frontage Road, Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Check out our archives www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com

Mat-Su Health Foundation

CONSERVATION:

healthymatsu.org (907) 352-2863 The Mat-Su Health Foundation offers financial and strategic support to well-managed 501(c)(3) organizations that offer services and practical solutions to significant health-related problems impacting the citizens of the Mat-Su Borough.

The foundation also offers academic and vocational scholarships to Mat-Su residents who wish to pursue health and wellness related careers.

COMMUNITY: Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) Charitable Foundation www.mea.coop/mea-in-the-community/round-up meacontact@mea.coop 907-761-9300 Since 2011, the MEA Charitable Foundation has given grants to fund projects impacting libraries, playgrounds, seniors, veterans, recycling, at-risk youth, and much more. In 2018, MEA Charitable Foundation reached over $1,000,000 in contributions to the community with Operation RoundUp® Program!

Organizational grants are capped at $10,000, individual grants are capped at $2,500. Please remember to check our website for requirements and submit your completed application — including financials!

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions www.valleyrecycling.org (907) 745-5544 RECYCLING: Be part of the solution. DROP OFF: The community recycling center is located at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, next to the MSB Animal Shelter at the Central Landfill. Follow the smells.

HOURS: Drive through drop-off is open Tues – Fri 10:30 to 6:00 and Sat 10:00 to 3:30.

Recycle cardboard, aluminum cans, magazines, this newspaper and more. Remember to REDUCE, REUSE, and then RECYCLE! ONLINE: Visit our website for more details, follow us on Facebook.

To learn more, visit our classroom. Volunteer opportunities available. Make a difference in your community!

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: Mat-Su Regional Adult Basic Education (Nine Star) MatsuAdultEd@ninestar.com (907) 373-7833 Mat-Su ABE provides basic education in math, language arts and English as a second language (ESL), aiming to raise student skills beyond the high-school level in order to pass tests like the GED, enter training programs or college, and advance on the job. Enrollment is open to all adult residents of Alaska, year-round.

Youth Employment for ages 16-24 not in school -- get a job, keep a job, advance on the job. Nine Star 300 N Willow 373-3006 (in the MYHouse building)

FAITH: Valley Interfaith Action (VIA) www.valleyinterfaithaction.org (907) 230-1006 To address quality of life issues for all residents of the Mat-Su Borough, utilizing the faith values of our members, developing community-wide interest and mobilization around quality of life issues.

Through training, leaders address community problems by providing forums for discussion, researching alternative solutions, and working as facilitators with residents and leaders for institutional change.

HOMELESS YOUTH: Mat-Su Youth Housing (MY HOUSE) myhousematsu.org (907) 373-4357 MY House is a homeless youth drop in center with two for-profit businesses that train and employ homeless youth. Gathering Grounds Cafe is a coffee shop with homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and baked goods.

Steamdriven is a trendy thrift shop featuring Steampunk items made from repurposed donations by our youth designers. Fiend2Clean and Young People in Recovery offer support for substance abuse recovery with activities and events.

We offer transitional housing for qualified 18-24 year olds, Outreach services to connect homeless youth, organizations and groups to services, and access to Public Health and NineStar job/education services on site.

SOCIAL ADVOCACY: Wasilla Homeless-Committee www.wasillahomeless-committee.org (907) 521-2949 Wasilla Homeless-Committee is a 100% volunteer organization funded by private donations and regular fundraising events. Our sole purpose is to assist the homeless, those at risk of homelessness, and others who do not meet the criteria for help that is required by other advocacy agencies in the valley.

Wasilla Homeless-Committee provides case management, housing search assistance, move in assistance, job search assistance, clothing, furniture, help with transportation, and resource guidance for homeless and disenfranchised in the Mat-Su Valley.

Visit our website for application, or call 907521-2949. Find us on Facebook facebook.com/ wasillahomelesscommitteepage

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Arts & Community Contributed by Valley Fine Arts Association Terry Phillips (currently the President of the Valley Fine Arts Association) will be displaying her artwork during the month of June, through mid-July.

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She is scheduled to hang at Keely’s Coffee House beginning June 3rd. The show’s theme is Walk About Wasilla and features 10 original paintings of various known landmarks out and about the Wasilla area. The show will be on display throughout the month of June.

Terry will also be hanging artwork in mid-June through mid-July at Vagabond Blues in Palmer. The show will feature a Tribute to Trees. Terry’s preferred mediums are both oil and acrylics.

Stop by and enjoy a cup of goodness and take in the artwork at either or both of the featured venues. You can meet Terry on opening day of each show June 4th from 2 pm- 4pm, and again at Vagabond Blues June 15th from 2-4 pm.

Contributed by David Murrow Chugiak-based Paint a Scarf has won a national award for its 23-minute training video.

Paint a Scarf took the 2019 Bronze Telly Award for its “How to Paint a Silk Scarf” instructional video. Paint a Scarf’s production was honored alongside videos from Microsoft, Dyson and PBS in the “How-To/DIY” category.

The video’s on-camera host is Gina Murrow, the inventor of Paint a Scarf.

Gina teaches the basics of silk painting during the first half of the video.

Then she paints nine different scarf designs (using time-lapse photography) in the final 12 minutes.

Paint a Scarf offers nine different scarf designs at its Premium painting events in Chugiak, and four designs at its mobile parties and pub events.

“After people watch the video, they usually know exactly which design they want to paint,” Murrow said. “It really eliminates the fear factor.”

Gina Murrow invented Paint a Scarf in 2013. She pioneered upright silk painting, blending colors on damp fabric to make it easy for anyone. Her upright, multi-position painting rack was granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in 2018.

Murrow began offering scheduled scarf painting sessions at her log cabin home in Chugiak in 2014.

Hundreds of guests from around the world have painted silk scarves overlooking a creek that rushes through her backyard. Hundreds more have attended her silk painting parties and pub events that meet in local bars and restaurants.

Paint a Scarf has also won an industry achievement award from Visit Anchorage and has earned Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence for the past five years.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.PaintAScarf.com

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“Our guests always tell us what a professional video we have,” said Gina Murrow. “The video helps build their confidence and shows them exactly how the scarves come together.”

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PALMER

MUSEUM Contributed by Palmer Museum From the museum’s showcase garden to the Palmer quad, join us Saturday July 13th to celebrate Midsummer in Palmer!

On the historic town center, the Palmer Museum Garden and Art Faire brings together master gardeners, dozens of local artisans, and live music on three stages.

10am-6pm

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SPONSORED BY:

GARDEN & ART VENDORS WORKSHOPS & TOURS LIVE MUSIC LOCAL FOOD & DRINKS DOWNTOWN PALMER palmergardenandart.org

The faire has a twelve year history, but recently has been put on by the Palmer Museum of History and Art. While we strive to celebrate our local artists year round, this Palmer staple offers the chance to expose dozens of artists, musicians, and agricultural geniuses to thousands of people all in one day.

For the garden enthusiast, do we have a day for you! Stop by booths hosted by Ken’s Garden Center, Seeds and Soil, and the Mat-Su Master Gardeners for all the latest and greatest in valley gardeners.

Get your hands dirty with workshops led by the UAF Experiment Farm, the Cook Inlet Bonsai Study Group, and more!

Top it off by taking a stroll through Palmer’s showcase garden in full bloom, facilitated by the wonders of gardener Alicia Greene. For the art savant, you will be spoiled for choices! From glass blowing to pottery to watercolor, we have nearly twenty art vendors and

workshops scattered throughout the faire. Watch live renaissance painting

by Palmer’s own Barbara Hunt, and check out the museum’s Artist of the Week, Francine Long, on display in our temporary gallery.

For the family faire goer, face painting, live music on three stages, and delicious food vendors are at your disposal. Help us chalk the library sidewalk, explore over fifty vendors worth of fun, and enjoy the beauty of Palmer in the full thoros of summer!

As you enjoy our lovely faire, take a moment to enjoy our lovely town as well!

Cast an eye to the vibrant business of Palmer’s downtown, who welcome visitors and locals alike every day year round.

Take a stroll across the tracks down Alaska Street and soak in the pride and hard work of a vested community.

The faire is free to the public, and open from 10a to 6p Saturday July 13th.

For more info, visit our website or check out our Facebook page @ Midsummer Garden and Art Faire

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inside a metal can full of combustible materials, a process that draws the oxygen out of the glaze and is responsible for the unique and completely unpredictable Raku look. After the vessel cools, you’ll be able to take it home!

Contributed by Carmen Summerfield It’s time for another hot, Hot, HOT Iron Pour!

Yes, for the 12th consecutive year, the Valley Arts Alliance Art on Fire Iron Pour Art Fest will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2019 in Wasilla.

In the next few weeks, Pat Garley (441-6728) will be offering workshops in metal casting and mold making at his studio in Palmer.

These workshops will continue at the 12th annual Valley Arts Alliance Art on Fire Iron Pour Art Fest, where these molds will be poured with liquid iron.

You can make your own cast iron “Art Tile” at the Art on Fire event. The molds, called “Scratch blocks”, will be available for $10, and you can “scratch” your unique pattern into this block with tools (nails and chisels etc.) provided. After the liquid iron is poured into your “scratch block” and cools, you can take your “Art Tile” home! Remember to make your pattern in reverse, just like chocolate molds!

Judy Vars will demonstrate her Encaustic wax painting, and you can paint with this hot colorful medium at her booth for a small fee. Encaustic wax painting, also known as hot wax painting, involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid or paste is then applied to a surface – usually prepared wood, though canvas and other materials are often used.

This ancient art form dates back to Egyptian times! Try it out!

The Association of Alaskan Blacksmiths will demonstrate blacksmithing techniques, and other fiery arts, such as glass flame working, will also be demonstrated.

We have our “Old Truck” music stage set up for Live music all day with a great line-up of musicians. “Gathering Grounds”, associated with My House, will be providing food from their delicious café menu. My House – Supporting homeless youth by offering a hand up and not a hand out.

Sandra Cook, who owns “SL Cook Pottery and Fiber Werks” in Palmer, will conduct her Raku pottery workshop throughout the day.

The Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry was established to give a home to Alaska’s transportation and industrial remnants, and to tell the stories of the people and the machines that opened Alaska to exploration and growth. That means... planes trains and automobiles... and all kinds of other interesting stuff, check it out!

Sandra will provide each workshop participant (for a small fee) with a vessel or pot of unglazed ceramic ware, known as bisque, which the participants will decorate with a variety of glazes and then fire in one of Sandra’s special Raku kilns. After a short firing, the “red hot” vessels will be placed

The 12th Annual VAA Art on Fire Iron Pour Art Fest will be held at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, located at 3800 W. Museum Drive (near the airport) in Wasilla, from 10am until 5pm on Saturday, June 22. The ticket price is $10, with children under 12 admitted free. Please join the fun!

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Arts & Community Contributed by Charice Chambers It’s summertime in the Valley and locals know the drill: Aunt Suzie, Uncle Ben and a whole raft of guests are about to descend upon each of us, turning us automatically into tour guides. In that capacity, don’t forget Matsu Senior Services Gift Shop. It’s a great place to find a variety of goods including local handcrafted native arts.

Elsie Ratcliff, a local native senior, has a wide selection of beaded, skin and jewelry items available at the gift shop. Elsie grew up in Kotzebue, spending much of her time with her grandmother. Sensing Elsie’s interest in the skin work she did, Grandma soon put Elsie to work, prepping and softening skins for parkas and mukluks.

Because there was no tanner in Kotzebue, Elsie learned first-hand all the secrets of creating soft supple and long-lived skin products. As a child, Elsie wore parkas lined with muskrat. The parka was worn fur side in for warmth and skin side out.

Because skins were easily soiled, bright fabrics were used as an outer cover thus keeping the skin clean. Elsie also wore lined mukluks made by her grandmother.

In those days, subsistence living was required.

There was limited access to store-bought food.

Because of the cost of shipping (everything was barged up to Kotzebue) and fuel, few could afford such luxuries. The villagers simply had to hunt and fish to survive. As Elsie says with a very stern look on her face, “subsistence was very serious business.”

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Elsie’s grandfather on her dad’s side worked as a government reindeer herder, so drying reindeer meat and berry picking were always a part of the summer as was fishing. The family would load up Dad’s car and make a 50 plus mile trip to the ocean for shee fish. Salmon was also a dietary staple.

In spite of raising her seven children, Elsie was able to attend UAA and earn and associate degree in art, her true passion. However, she had to earn a living, and worked for thirty years at Prudhoe Bay, for Doyan and later NANA where she was a supervisor. She also worked at Alaska Native Hospital in a supervisory capacity as well.

With all this to do, she still found time for jewelry making and skin sewing.

At one point, her brother, John Curtis, taught her to carve. This involved working with baleen and all types of ivory. Like most modern carvers, Elsie wore personal protective equipment while carving.

Goggles, a mask and a vacuum suit were all a part of carving. They were necessary because the fine dust created while carving and polishing ivory and baleen can cause debilitating lung problems as well as resulting the cutting of the retina.

Early carvers always carved outside where the wind could blow away the debris as they worked, reducing serious health issues. Elsie produced many earrings, heart and ulu pendants under her brother’s tutelage.

She also crafted solid ivory finger rings inlayed with mastodon. She was proud of the smooth, shiny finish on all her projects. The finish was achieved as a result of many hours of fine sanding and polishing. Some artists save time by simply spraying on a smooth polish, but Elsie is a traditionalist and would never use this shortcut.

Because carving requires extremely strong hands, Elsie is doing much less of it today, and focusing on skin sewing. She makes wallets, purses, cell phone holders, and other items; most of them are beaded as well. Recently, she has produced a number of mukluks for babies and young children.

Originally, she used patterns garnered from other skin sewers, but now she makes her own patterns.

Most of her mukluks are spotted fur or harbor seal.

She likes to use mouton to line them for warmth and softness and always includes felting between all her seams. This gives the finished product, color and style, but it also keeps seams from puckering if the shoe should get wet.

Drop by the gift shop to see many of Elsie’s creations, as well as those by many other local native artists. You and your guests will be glad you did.

Located at 1132 South Chugach Street in Palmer, across from Palmer Junior Middle School, the gift shop is open to both seniors and the public, Monday through Friday, from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Contributed by Deb Lestenkof Palmer in Perspective is an exhibit featuring photographs of the Palmer area and associated collections.

Each of five photos will be rendered in five different styles by five Alaskan artists. There’s a strong preference for using different mediums (oil, canvas, charcoal, alcohol inks, watercolor, etc).

The exhibit will run to the end of July with an option to purchase

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displayed pieces when the showing is over.

You can see the full exhibition, along with four other artist’s perspectives (including local artist Lori Teich) at the Palmer Museum of History and Art, 723 S Valley Way, Palmer.

Born in Fairbanks and living in Wasilla, Deb Lestenkof specializes in alcohol ink to create wildlife and nature scenes.

More of her work can be seen at debscreativepaws.net.

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Museums Contributed by Selena Ortega-Chiolero Alaska’s museums and cultural centers serve as community gathering places, institutions for learning, and are strong components of Alaska’s economy and tourism industry.

Their purpose is to preserve, protect and promote the histories and cultures of the communities they serve.

So why is it that they are often the first industry targeted whenever there is a budget crisis? For the past few years we have seen at the national level, organizations like the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, struggle to defend the work they do so that they can continue receiving financial support.

Most recently, in Alaska, we have had our own fight protecting valuable institutions like the Sheldon Jackson Museum from being sold and preserving the financial support for the Alaska State Museum and its integral grant programs.

showing why museums matter.

We are encouraging everyone to use this week to demonstrate how museums are more than just buildings but rather, essential institutions whose programs and events extend beyond their walls making long-lasting impacts that help their communities to thrive.

Alaska Museum Week will be held from June 2 -8, 2019, throughout the state. To help support this statewide effort, Museums Alaska has created promotional graphics and materials designed for a variety of social media platforms and have made them freely available on their web-site at: www.museumsalaska. org/Alaska-Museum-Week.

Among the materials, is a social media plan that includes themes for each day of the week to help everyone highlight different facets of museums and their programming.

We hope you will join us in celebrating the good works that museums do and reminding our legislators that #AKmuseumsmatter!

Museums Alaska is the statewide museum association that supports museums and cultural centers in Alaska and enhances public understanding of their value.

Initiated in 1977, it continues to dedicate its resources towards maintaining and disseminating information about museums, cultural centers and their activities, and sharing and creating professional opportunities for museum professionals, volunteers and organizations throughout the state.

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In an effort to raise awareness of the importance of Alaska museums as centers of education, community anchors, economic engines, employers, and stewards of culture and history, Museums Alaska has developed a weeklong celebration where we invite museums, their staff, supporters and fans to join us in speaking up for museums in the state of Alaska by using social media as a tool to activate the public in

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booths! Learn about the local plants and get involved in the hands-on activities!

A delightful combination of local musicians, budding artists and seasoned performers will entertain you all day long!

Contributed by Debbie Filter The Alaskan Summer is upon us in all its glory! That means “Festival Time” to Trapper Creek and communities all up and down the highways!

The 14th Annual Fireweed Festival will be in ‘full bloom’ on July 20th!

Bring your family, friends and outof-state visitors to this FREE and fun family friendly event!

Plan to spend a few hours, or all day, cruising in amongst the local handmade craft and delicious food

Other activities include the Silent Auction, Split the Pot and Rippies!

WOWZA! The Trapper Creek Community Services Assoc. and Fireweed Festival Committee enjoy providing this amazing day in our park for your enjoyment!

Please come spend this day with us!

The festival is sponsored by the Trapper Creek Community Services Assoc. Inc. a non-profit, 50 (c) (3) organization, Moores Hardware in Talkeetna & Elise Dooley of Trapper Creek

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Our grass-roots event will begin at 11:00 AM and will wrap up around 8:00 PM.

We will be raffling off an awesome backyard swimming pool with all the necessary accessories AND a beautiful gas/charcoal BBQ!