Make A Scene Magazine

PRESENTED BY

ALASKA JUNIOR THEATER

SEE PAGE 6

THE RETURN OF 360 ALLSTARS!

MID-OCT 2024

PAGE 2

Theater

YOUTH 360

TRUNK OR TREAT

Contributed by Jovan Archuleta Youth 360 would like to invite all to join us for our 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat on Halloween, Thursday 31 October. We are looking for those to participate and host a trunk, help act in out themed tents or assist in the house of wonders. We also welcome all those who just want to come out, play games, get treats, and have fun.

Trunks open 4-7PM. Tricks will be provided by Alaska Aerial Acrobatics at 5pm. For those busy gathering treats from all the community events, we offer a drive-in movie experience to end your night with a screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas at 7:30pm all at our Wasilla location (501 E Bogard Rd). This is a teen-designed and mentor managed event with activities and more for all ages.

We are seeking partners to participate! Friends and community partners have a couple of options for getting involved. You can host a traditional “Trunk or Treat” using your vehicle, or we can provide you a tent in our Nightmare Before Christmas ring of holidays around our center stage performance of aerial acrobatics. Of course, if you can’t make it, please spread the word and have a safe night!

If you’re interested in getting involved, please register (not required) using the following link: https://lu.ma/do18v184.

Call us at 907-376-0360 or 907-373-3613 with any questions.

You can also email wasilla@youth-360.org for more information.

WASILLA LIbRARY

Featuring:

3000-21 & Halloween ConCert Aspenyarrow th MID-OCT 2024

Tuesday, october 22 6pm - 8pm

Tickets Available at: www. 955knlt.com/halloween

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Books BRIGHT LIGHTS BOOK PROJECT:

LEAPING INTO LITERACY

MID-OCT 2024

Contributed by Alys Culhane The Bright Lights Book Project mission is to put free books into the hands of appreciative readers. The BLBP’s vision statement reads: Envisioning the power of literacy to change lives.

In its three years as a nonprofit 501 (c) (3), the BLBP has, in distributing books locally and statewide, further defined a more indirect, and broadbased definition of literacy.

Book-related conversations are now taking place daily at BLBP bookcases, repurposed newspaper boxes, and little libraries.

In addition, these conversations are taking place at BLBP in-house and community events.

Stories beget stories. It is then that connections with others are made. Connections then affirm the importance of reading, both to oneself and to others.

And children, when they take a book in hand, and later read it, are increasing the likelihood that they will end up with a larger world view than those who bypass this opportunity.

The BLBP has laid a strong foundation in honoring its mission statement. It’s now time in honoring its vision statement to build the house. And so it’s with this in mind that the BLBP will, on October 29, host an event that we are calling Leap into Literacy. This will take place at the Palmer Train Depot, starting at 12:30 p.m. Our primary purpose is to call attention to the fact that we’ll soon be offering community literacy classes and holding more literacy-related events.

It takes a village, and our village consists of partners who think as we do, which is in working together, we can make Alaska literate again.

Some of our partners, and their event contributions follow: The Palmer Public Library will hold its weekly Baby Lap Sit (0-2) at 10 a.m. and its story time (2-5) at 11 a.m.

Lunch will be served at 12:30 a.m. Franz Bakery will be serving grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, Kid’s Kupboard will be serving healthy snacks, and Kaladi Brothers will be providing coffee.

On-site partners will include The Palmer Lion’s Club who will be providing free vision screening. Alaska Family Services and The Palmer United Way will be on site.

Children will have the opportunity to read to dogs, and at 2 p.m. Molly of Denali will join The Not ready for Storytime players to provide entertainment to a varied audience.

We all hope to see you there!

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Coloring Page

FIRST NAME

LAST NAME

AGE

MID-OCT 2024

ADDRESS

Send in your coloring page and you can win a gift card to a local business!

OCTOBER October 18 @ 12PM Self-Care Day with Alaska Sleep Clinic and Global Credit Union

Global Credit Union 851 USA Circle (907) 357-6700 jhines@alaskasleep.com

October 19 @ 11:30AM Talk by Stephen Haycox

Alaska Professional Communicators Glacier Brewhouse 737 West 5th Avenue liz@frontierscientists.com (907) 240-1073 Cost: $28 October 19 @ 11AM Vitamin D Class

All About Herbs 4621 East Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Suite #104 (907) 376-8327 October 19 @ 8PM Penny’s Night Out

Spread Love Entertainment Matanuska Brewing Company Midtown 2830 C Street keith@spreadloveentertainment.com (907) 205-4592 Cost: $20 October 19 @ 4:30PM WKHS Dessert Auction Wasilla-Knik Historical Society

Palmer Train Depot 610 S Valley Way dancarney2002@gmail.com (907) 671-2200 Cost: $55 October 25 @ 1PM Moby 2 Brings Vaccines to You Trapper Creek

Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. 1301 S Century Circle marlenem@alaskaseniors.com (907) 206-8800

October 26th & November 2nd @ 1PM Decorate Sugar Skulls for Día de los Muertos

Wasilla Museum and Visitor Center Wasilla Museum and Visitor Center 391 N Main St (907) 373-9071 museum@cityofwasilla.gov October 31 @ 4PM Youth 360 Wasilla 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat

Youth 360 501 E Bogard Rd, Clubhouse at Good Shepard Parking Lot wasilla@youth-360.org (907) 376-0360

NOVEMBER November 1 @ 9AM Quit Smoking with Sunshine CHC

Sunshine Community Health Center 34300 South Talkeetna Spur Road HC 89 BOX 8190 (907) 376-2273 Billed to Insurance November 2 @ 11AM Sprouts 101: All About Herbs All About Herbs 4621 East Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Suite # 104 (907) 376-8327

November 6 @ 5:30PM Palmer Community Foundation

Palmer Senior Center 1132 S Chugach St palmer@alaskacf.org (360) 292-3891

November 9 @ 10AM Girls on the Run Fall 5k Celebration

Girls on the Run Southcentral Alaska Goose Lake 2811 UAA Drive director@gotrsouthcentralak.org (360) 771-8953 Cost: $10-$45

November 14th,15th,16, & 17th @ 9AM Consign49 Fall/Holiday Consignment Sale

Consign49 Raven Hall - Alaska State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Highway info@consign49.com (907) 360-9571 November 16 @ 11AM Herbs for Diabetes

All About Herbs All About Herbs 4621 East Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Suite # 104 (907) 376-8327

November 2 @ 10AM 1st Saturday Vendors Market

1st Saturday Vendor Market Mat Su Borough Gym 350 E Dahlia Ave matanuskapens@gmail.com (907) 707-9948

November 2 10:30AM Valley Garden Club Regular Meeting

Valley Garden Club Grace Community Church 900 Leatherleaf golfdrum2@gmail.com (907) 982-7570

Have an event to promote? Give us a call. 907-373-2698.

MID-OCT 2024

Sunshine Community Health Center Vitus - Trapper Creek Alaska, Mile 115.5, Parks Hwy, Trapper Creek, AK 99683, USA www.sunshineclinic.org (907) 376-2273

October 26 @ 10AM

WASI Hosts Autumn Harvest Brunch Fundraiser & ‘Taste of the Valley’ Raffle

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Calendar Funnies of Events

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Theater

SPIN INTO ALASKA JUNIOR THEATER’S NEW “BOLD, BRIGHT & BREATHTAKING” SEASON WITH

THE RETURN OF 360 ALLSTARS! Contributed by Rowan Holmes

MID-OCT 2024

Get ready for an unforgettable night of exhilarating entertainment as Alaska Junior Theater kicks off its highly anticipated “Bold, Bright & Breathtaking” Season with the return of the spectacular 360 ALLSTARS! After a sold-out show in 2016, this groundbreaking performance is back and better than ever to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Join us on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 7:00 PM at the Atwood Concert Hall in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts for a thrilling experience that promises to dazzle audiences of all ages.

This breathtaking theatrical performance explores all forms of rotation with a stellar cast of world-class break-dancers, basketball freestylers, BMX flatlanders and Roue Cyr artists to deliver a super-charged urban circus.

360 ALLSTARS showcases some of Australia’s best performers, alongside celebrated international artists from UK, Europe & USA connecting the street with the elite. Boasting a stellar international cast of World Champion and World Record-holding athletes and artists, 360 ALLSTARS is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture.

In addition to the public show, Alaska Junior Theater is thrilled to offer school performances from November 6 - 8, 2024, at 10:00 AM and 11:45 AM. These school shows provide an incredible opportunity for students across Alaska to witness the magic of live performance and be inspired by the artistry of 360 ALLSTARS. Tickets for the public show are expected to go quickly, so be sure to secure yours soon. Whether you’re looking for a family outing or an adventure with friends, 360 ALLSTARS is a mustsee event that promises excitement and wonder from start to finish. This show will captivate audiences of all ages.

Public Show: Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Atwood Concert Hall, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Tickets range between $19 - $50.

School Shows: Dates: November 6 - 8, 2024 Times: 10:30 AM & 12:15 PM Tickets: $10 Location: Atwood Concert Hall, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts this event would be a great experience for homeschool families.

Location: Atwood Concert Hall, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Don’t miss out on this extraordinary show. Grab your tickets today by calling 907-263-ARTS or online at CENTERTIX. COM and get ready to embark on a “Bold, Bright & Breathtaking” adventure with Alaska Junior Theater!

Season Tickets: The Best Way to Experience It All With a lineup this incredible, why settle for just one show? Season tickets are your golden ticket to experiencing the full magic of Alaska Junior Theater’s 2024-2025 Season. Not only will you guarantee your seats at all five unforgettable performances, but you’ll also save up to 20% off regular ticket prices.

That’s a win-win! Plus, season ticket holders enjoy the best seats in the house and other exclusive benefits that make your theater experience even more special.

Get your Season Tickets today at 907263-ARTS or online at CENTERTIX.COM. For more information about the

shows, to check out cool videos or to find out about FREE Community Events, visit our website at AKJT.ORG. ALASKA JUNIOR THEATER Founded in 1981, Alaska Junior Theater is a private, nonprofit organization that brings the best in professional theatre from around the world to Alaska’s young audiences. Each year, thousands of students attend a variety of live performances, which share the common educational goal of “bringing learning to life.” For many students, AJT’s schooltime presentations are their only exposure to professional performing arts.

For our school shows, Alaska Junior Theater remains committed to providing subsidized tickets and finding direct ties to Alaska Content Standards, creating study guides and providing busing transportation in Anchorage to ensure all children receive the opportunity to experience the performing arts.

It is a true symbol of our commitment to artistic quality, educational content and community outreach.

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Funnies

Indigo S.

Trip H

Lilliah R.

MID-OCT 2024

Brooke B.

MID-OCT 2024

PAGE 8

Games

SOMETHING ROTTEN! THE MUSICAL IS SOMETHING DELIGHTFUL! Contributed by Janel Gagnon Valley Performing Arts’s next show to hit the stage (in collaboration with the Glenn Massay Theater) is a farcical musical entitled Something Rotten! It is Something Delightful! How often does anyone get to use the word farcical?

Never!

To be clear, that exclamation point and the one in the title are both Something Intentional! One of the show’s writers, John O’ Farrell wrote of the

show and the title, “We had called the show Something Rotten! We wanted to give the critics an easy first shot.

Oh, and yes, exclamation marks are compulsory.” The ache in the face and stomach audience members will feel from laughing, however, is not compulsory. It is simply unavoidable.

And, dear Make a Scene readers, therein lies the antidote to the show’s peculiar title: laughter - lots of it - and it comes packaged in the form of a musical-within-a-musical. Cue: metadrama

soothsayer, Thomas Nostradamus (we promise) foretells that the future of theater involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.

Lovers of musicals will swoon at the numerous allusions to other hit musicals. Naysayers of musicals will come away from Something Rotten! Converted understanding that nothing’s as amazing as a musical, or confirmed as this raucous, uproariously funny show celebrates while simultaneously making fun of Shakespeare, theater, and especially musicals. So, leave your blues-sicals at home! Bright lights, stage fights and a dazzling chorus…

Something Rotten! has it all!

Something Rotten! runs October 18 through November 3 at The Glenn Massay Theater on the Mat-Su College campus, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday shows, 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Adult $28; Military, Senior, Student, Child $25; Mat-Su College students inquire about free ticket pricing. ASL show is Saturday, October 26.

Featuring:

3000-21 & Halloween ConCert Aspenyarrow Tuesday, october 22 6pm - 8pm th

Tickets Available at: www. 955knlt.com/halloween

MID-OCT 2024

WASILLA LIbRARY

as a dramatic convention to advance the plot of the main piece used so often

by Shakespeare and his contemporaries during the Renaissance. And, dear Make a Scene readers, therein lies the time period of Something Rotten! ... Welcome to the Renaissance, where everything is new, including the never before heard of musical. What, pray tell, is the title of the musical-within-a-musical then?

It’s Omelette, the Musical, of course.

What’s it about, you ask? Eggs! It’s also about Shakespeare’s (or was it Shakespeare’s?!) Hamlet, although the characters are not aware of it at the time.

Set in the 1590s, Something Rotten! Introduces us to brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, played both valley thespians Jarett Hardy and Paul Lyremann, who wowed audiences’ months earlier in the Massay production of Into the Woods. The Bottom brothers are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard” (yes, Shakespeare) played by another valley favorite, Bronsen Stewart. When a local

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Theater

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Arts

THE CHRISTMAS ROSE CONCERT

MID-OCT 2024

Contributed by Diana Bailey

Fireworks followed by a Yuletide concert promises to be a perfect, heartwarming combination for making spirits bright. The public is invited to the free “Christmas Rose” concert presented by Cantora Arctica, the premier women’s choral group of the Mat-Su Valley. The singers will share holiday musical cheer with their annual Christmas concert on December 14th as part of the Colony Christmas festivities. The concert venue is the First Baptist Church of Palmer at 1150 E. Helen Drive, in Palmer, and the holiday musical harmonies start following the fireworks show, (approximately 7 pm.)

The “Christmas Rose” concert has two sets with an intermission that includes festive refreshments and appetizers, plus a bake sale. The choir members bring out their best baking skills for this fundraiser that is donation based.

The first set of the concert features traditional religious music about the angelic announcements for the new baby Jesus. The second set includes a collection of fun, secular songs, many of which are from classic Christmas movies. Cantora Arctica is a women’s choral group that has been performing two concerts a year in Palmer for

23 years, one in the spring and one in the winter. It was started by Janet Stotts and continues today under the direction of Deborah Cooper.

“We are a group of women dedicated to the art of making music together, said Cantora director, Deb Cooper, who has directed the choir since 2016. She recently retired from being an elementary school music teacher for 30 years.

The chorus currently has 32 members participating in the Fall 2024 semester comprised of women of various ages and backgrounds who have come together for the enjoyment of making music. Several members have been part of the choir for many years. The accompanist is Anna Witt, an extremely talented pianist who has been with the choir since 2016. The songsters invite local musicians, with a variety of instruments, to accompany several of the songs each semester.

Cantora is funded by a semester tuition fee paid by choir members and donations raised at the concerts. Expenses include the music, refreshments, guest

musicians, uniforms, etc. Rehearsals are on Monday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Immanual Baptist Church at 7540 E. Cottrell-Campus Drive, Palmer, AK (the white church near the Trunk Road round-about by the Mat-Su Regional Hospital).

“We welcome new members! Our goal is to uplift each other through song, bring music to our community,

celebrate our joys, and encourage those experiencing trials. The artistic quality of our sound may not be precise, but you will enjoy singing with us!”, Deb says.

Please contact Deb at 907-2322073 if you would like to join or have more information about our flock of singing geese!

WWW.MAKEASCENE.MEDIA | 907-373-2698

PAMYUA’S MUSIC HITS HOME IN ANCHORAGE Contributed by Becky Kendall

Their upcoming performance is a celebration of Alaska Native culture Anchorage Concert Association is pleased to present Pamyua at the Discovery theatre for a celebration of indigenous culture between the Elders & Youth Conference and Alaska Federation of Natives.

In addition to a full performance in the theatre, patrons can enjoy a pre-show celebration in the lobby, highlighting the richness of Indigenous culture and community. Visual art pieces will be on display, Yup’ik dance performances will be presented, and a special visit from Miss Earth Alaska, Yup’ik-born Larissa Schierholt will be there to welcome guests.

After sharing Alaska Native culture

on tours around the world for the last 29 years, Pamyua returns to Anchorage to celebrate their Indigenous traditions, history, and storytelling. Experience the joy and pride of welcoming Alaska’s very own internationally acclaimed band, right here at home.

ABOUT PAMYUA Pamyua showcases Inuit culture though music and dance performance.

The show is a platform to share indigenous knowledge and history. Their style derives from traditional melodies reinterpreted with contemporary vocalization and instrumentation. Often described as “Inuit Soul Music,” Pamyua has discovered their own genre.

Band members, Phillip Blanchett, Qacung Blanchett, and Ossie Kairaiuak are proud to represent Indigenous culture.

The group believes unity is possible

though music and dance. Together, each member works to interpret Inuit traditions masterfully with joy and sincerity. The response to this message is tremendous as the group is a symbol of pride for Alaska’s indigenous people and to all who see them perform.

Pamyua’s performances aim to honor and share indigenous traditions through ceremony, songs, and dance.

Anchorage Concert Association Anchorage Concert Association is a nonprofit organization with the mission to inspire and enhance the community through the performing arts. Anchorage Concert Association connects people through performance and presents internationally acclaimed artists from the entire spectrum of the performing arts. Learn more at anchorageconcerts.org.

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Music

Anchorage Concert Association Upcoming Shows Skerryvore, October 4, 2024, Atwood Concert Hall Capitol Fools, October 5, 2024, Atwood Concert Hall CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR!, October 11, 2024, Discovery Theatre Pamyua, October 16, 2024, Discovery Theatre Waipuna, November 1, 2024, Discovery Theatre Potted Potter, November 7-10, 2024, Discovery Theatre Sammy Miller and The Congregation, November 15, 2024, Discovery Theatre The Nutcracker with Eugene Ballet, Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, 2024, Atwood Concert Hall The Ugly Sweater Holiday Show, Dec. 6 & 7, 2025, Discovery Theatre

MID-OCT 2024

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.

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 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.

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.

Matanuska Electric Association Charitable Foundation (MEACF)

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.

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 MEA. 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 partners, 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 www.healthymatsu.org to learn about scholarship and funding opportunities.

MYHouse Mat-Su Youth Housing www.myhousematsu.org (907) 373-4357 MYHouse 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 job education services on site.

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 www.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 non- profit 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 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 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.

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 possible for as long as possible.

WASI provides services, resources, and activities to promote health and independence such as Club50 Fitness 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.

SPOOKY NIGHT

UN-DEAD

October is here!

Can Halloween be near?

Spiders, witches and goblins are seen And, carved pumpkin faces depict Halloween.

Ours had sharp teeth, jagged and torn, Eyes glowed brightly and nose made of corn, Sat on Fall colors grinning in glee For all trick-or-treaters who came to see.

This cheery orange fellow met the kids eyes A candle lit glare in darkened window, SURPRISE! The spirit of All Hallows Eve lasts all day, Mostly fun, a bit scary, we like it that way.

Stepping down into a Creeping black mist, stairs groaning as the descent deepens The lair reeks of death Corrupted soil bedding soulless corruption Rat tails knotted, maggots crawling The casket lid creaks and groans Pale beast lay within. with fresh blood on its chin The wooden stake is set upon the chest The mallet is swung, the horror!

Fangs gnashing, the body convulsed Thin crooked fingers grasp the wooden post As flames erupt from the eyes of the cursed creature The guttural screams reverberating off the stone walls As devilish shadows dance in the flickering light

Contributed by Yvonne Moss

Contributed by Robert Lyons

HALLOWEEN SOUNDS AT NIGHT Contributed by MJ Bussman

Hush, Hush, do you not hear it Creeping along the rafters and stair’s So gently it glide’s barely a movement Sounds as if a whisper It’s presence a cold vapor Through darkness and shadows it wanders along an aimless path I pray it can rest and be released from what binds it to this place

NORTH

PAGE 13

Poetry & Prose

Contributed by Anthony Irsik North to Alaska, North we shall go, North to the future, North to frost and snow, North under Polaris, North is in our sights, North under Aurora Borialis, North under eternal night, North with the sled dogs, North we mush, North with moose and bear, North with its wild brush, North where whiskey freezes, North we seek to live, North where sun stays late, North where together we build.

A MISIDENTIFIED TAIL

Contributed by Jessica Marsan, A Barbara Carr adventure My horse would often run into neighboring fields.

One day, my chestnut horse ran away later in the evening.

I went around the block looking for him.

I finally saw the behind of a moose thinking it was my horse.

I walked up to that moose, smacked its behind and said “Job, you get home!”

And let me tell you, when that moose turned to face me, we both looked at each other and ran two opposite directions.

ENJOY MY COLORS Contributed by Fred Glover

By J. Factor

MID-OCT 2024

Don’t ya just love this time of the year?

The air is so fresh and crisp; like biting into a Cold apple. The birch is sporting every shade Of gold and yellow that nature has to offer, as If to shout; look at me! enjoy my colors while You can, the end is nigh. The pungent smell of death and decay.

The forest floor is covered by Fallen leaves moldering on the ground. The wild Flowers have hung there once proud beauty, As if to stare at their ultimate destiny.

Winter’s child is waiting to be born.

Don’t ya just love this time of the year?

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Books

LIFE ON THE EDGE OF THE ARCTIC OCEAN

Contributed by Teena Helmericks Have you ever dreamed of living somewhere special or doing something out of the ordinary? Well, my family and I have spent much of our lives living in a place very unique and special, a remote and challenging place – a three-generation homesite on the northern coast of Alaska about 165 miles southeast of Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow) and 60 miles west of Prudhoe Bay. This unusual homesite is located on Anachlik Island, a 4-mile-long island on the eastern edge of the Colville River Delta, which sticks out into the Arctic Ocean.

This homesite began in the 1950’s with nothing but a wall tent surrounded by snow blocks for the first dwelling and then eventually lead to modern two-story homes, a hanger for family planes, power and storage buildings, greenhouses, ice cellars, guest quarters and many other improvements to make a self-sufficient community. Find out more by reading the memoirs and incredible Arctic adventures in Life on the Edge of the Arctic Ocean by Teena Helmericks. She and her family have lived for over 60 years on the North Slope and Teena tells the amazing saga of a frontier-homestead

life laced with hard work, adventures, struggles, joys, setbacks, and successes--all wrapped in a fiercely independent and free lifestyle. The description of life in this harsh but beautiful land spans the early years of great isolation, through the years of the discovery, development, and expanding petroleum industry along with increasing population surrounding the once extremely isolated homestead.

These stories cover wilderness survival and tenacity with tales that cover the development of transportation from small bush airplanes to vehicles and roads to cover vast distances. Our lifestyle transitioned from limited modes of communications with the outside world to the constant digital communications now available in the modern world. This life in the far north included raising and homeschooling four boys, handling many small farm animals including dairy goats, chickens, and rabbits, managing an extensive family museum, and helping to run multiple businesses. It is a life entwined with nature and experiences few others have been privileged to experience. Yes, life on the Colville River has been very special and out of the ordinary!

Life on the Edge of the Arctic Ocean can be viewed at this Alaska publishing company’s “biography” page at Fathompublising.com.

The book is also available in Alaska at “Fireside Books” in Palmer; “Black Birch Books” in Wasilla; “Wagon Wheel Marketplace” in Wasilla; “Spunky Monkey” in Wasilla.

Print books available online at Amazon; Barnes & Noble; BooksaMillion; Ebooks at Kindle; Nook; Smashwords; and more purchase-links at “Books2Read”

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Mysticism

BRITTANI WITH GRACE: DEATH Contributed by Brittani Grace

Hello everybody! Welcome to my column. Each month I will draw a Major Arcana tarot card, which represents one of many possible paths to follow. Major Arcana cards represent the archetypical themes of life, presenting the overall possible experiences.

Deck: Mermaid Tarot By Leeza Robertson Illustrations by Julie Card: #13 Death My, how Death becomes us. Death is a beautiful part of this ever-continuing cycle. In tarot, Death seems to have a lingering energetic pull of greatness. Have you ever heard the phrase, “things fall apart so better things can appear?” There is so much truth to this. Sure, sometimes when things end, it first feels as though nothing will ever make sense again. The fear of things changing can feel paralyzing; yet, at the very same time, the

ending of something can be precisely what shoots us into moving forward.

When we discuss Death as an overall life path, it seems to bring about this idea of horrible implications. I want to underline the point that death happens in all aspects of our lives: jobs, towns, partners, friends, crutches, vehicles, ideas, and so forth. It is about walking away from that which doesn’t serve us any longer. Literally anything and everything is affected by Death. With that being said, let us look at the need for the Death of our mental acuity-filled egos being in control. Ego, being the driving force that navigates our every decision in life, is precisely what can lead us into feeling disconnected, unstable, stuck, sad, lost, and overall ungrounded. The mental aspect of death is emphasized, especially in these columns, because when we stand in our own individual powers, when we stand up for ourselves and live by making choices that show how much love we have for ourselves, we make the decision to release the attachments with strength and with grace.

There is an ease that flows through this energy that gets stronger each time.

Thus, a rebirth, if you will.

However, I would like to make exceptionally clear that the ego is not our enemy. It seems almost counterintuitive to view it this way, I know, but we can use it as a tool for navigating our personal alignment within the human experience.

When we spend enough time in the dark crevices learning what doesn’t work for us, we are able to appreciate and see what we do want. Death appears for us to bring forth exactly what we want.

Our undivided attention to our hopes, dreams, and desires is suddenly birthed from this precise inspiration. A rebirth equals our power. It equals becoming someone we have never been before.

The thing with our minds and egos is that they will never actually “die.” They never go away, they never stop trying to do their job of keeping us “safe,” though sometimes it means they are working overtime in keeping us from living our truest selves. What we see moving forward is the idea of putting the ego on “the back burner,” learning that it is possible for the voice to just become quieter and can actually be molded into a beautifully merged balance that we lean on. We put in the practice of clearing our thoughts by acknowledging their presence, and then consciously deciding to ourselves that we will just refocus. When we watch them pass by without getting swooped up into the emotional response of them, we are able to see them from an outside view. We are able to look down at the thoughts and say, “Thank you, but no thanks.” Then, sometimes shakily, we step forward into what feels right.

I personally have been dealing with Death in many ways. The one that stands at the top of the pyramid is fear. Fear

of being wrong. Fear of being mocked, scrutinized, or berated, and even fear of the belief in myself. I think for me, the truest fear comes from delivering—actually being able to deliver once I reach a new level. As I continue to get deeper into my business, and explore the expanded horizons set before me, receiving messages from the Divine in a myriad of ways that continuously strongly encourage me to step into this new light meant for me, I retreat. I hide away from myself. I allow the doubt to set in that I will actually be able to deliver what is expected of me. Even as I see the confirmation from customers, friends, and my own astonished, “oh my gosh!” moments in my day-to-day, in the quiet moments, I judge myself for my darkness. It is a big lesson for me to understand the merging of the two energies within, to see that the darkness is what fuels the strength of my lightness.

During a time of “Ego Death,” we look to the understanding that when we feel the “birthing pains” of the new, it is absolutely okay. It is okay to be scared.

It is okay to be nervous and even a bit doubtful. Let us take a deep breath and realize that, just like a snake sheds its skin, the trees lose their leaves, the ground begins to harden, and the snow falls from the sky, we ourselves will still continue to evolve and flow with the changing energetic seasons, with one step at a time. Why do we do this? Why do we continue to stand up, to change, to allow the contrast to fade? Because it feels f***ing great when we do.

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