Make A Scene Magazine September 2023

EST. 2007

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Music

THE MAT-SU CONCERT BAND PRESENTS

“MOVIES, MARCHES, & MEDLEYS” EXPERIENCED IN ALL SUBJECT AREAS

READING SPECIALIST MASTER DEGREE

MID-SEP 2023

Contributed by Mat-Su Concert Band

include Sousa’s “The Gridiron Club” as well as “March of the Belgian Paratroopers” by Pieter Leemans and “Emblem of Unity” by J.J. Richards.

includes selections from “Caravan”, “In a Sentimental Mood”, “Mood Indigo”, “Satin Revolts take over the Mat-Su Concert Doll”, and “Take the ‘A’ Train”.

Band in their upcoming, “player’s choice” Paul Desmond’s “Take Five” features concert. saxophone soloist Bruce Brown. Do note The final movement of Gustav Holst’s “First that the flute section, among others, The “Movies, Marches, & Medleys” Suite in E-Flat” joins the roster of marches. plays all of three and a half measures, to concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. SaturHowever, during the first rehearsal, a brief leave room for Brown to shine on this jazz day Oct. 7 at the Glenn Massay Theater mutiny overtook the band. One movestandard. at Mat-Su College. Tickets are $20 for ment just wasn’t enough Holst, and they general admission and $5 for students. clamored to play it all! After citing “player’s Other selections include “The Wolves of Children under 5 get in free. choice,” the band is performing the full Alaska”, a musical portrait by Rossano Holst suite.

Galante, and “To Protect and Serve” by Tickets can be purchased online at Robert W. Smith, the third movement matsuconcertband.org.

The band’s director, Gleo Hyuck, is not from “Suite for Heroes Among Us”, dediwithout his own sense of humor with his cated to law enforcement professionals.

The result of this “player’s choice” program choice of “Variations on a Folk Song” by is a concert that ranges from movie Walter Schumann and Frank Erickson. The Mat-Su Concert Band got its start in 1984 themes by renowned Disney composer piece asks the question: What if Mozart as the Mat-Su Community Band, formed Hans Zimmer to rousing marches and a had written the lullaby “Skip to My Lou”?

by Matanuska Music owner Hank Hartmedley of Duke Ellington numbers, plus What about Bach? Gershwin? The answer man. Other directors have included Neil much more. is a playful tour through the styles of Long and Phil Munger.

Western composers we all know and love.

Zimmer is a prolific German composer Under the baton of Gleo Hyuck, the band known for his vibrant film scores. “Hans “The Symphonic Duke” is a showcase of is made up of more than 60 musicians and Zimmer: Movie Milestones” features melo- Ellington numbers created by veteran performs a wide-ranging selection of chaldies from “Driving Miss Daisy”, “Gladiator”, “Tonight Show” arranger Tommy Newsom lenging music. Hyuck is a retired music “Madagascar”, “Crimson Tide”, “The Lion in 1999 to mark the 100th anniversary of educator and private instructor. The band King”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean.” the composer’s birth in 1899, according to rehearses every Monday night at Teeland Marches featured during the concert the publisher’s program notes. The piece Middle School.

Music

ALASKA CELTIC PIPES & DRUMS PRESENT:

RUMBLETHUMPS CONCERT

Contributed by Richard Christiansen

Rumblethumps Concert is one of several community concerts presented throughout the state by Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums, and is regarded by the Band as a fun way to “get this party started,” at the beginning of our performance season.

Mark your Calendars! Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums present the Rumblethumps Concert at 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 30th, 2023, at St John Lutheran Church, 440 E. Elmwood Avenue, in Palmer, Alaska, (on the corner of Elmwood and S. Eklutna St; 3 blocks East of the Prepare to be amazed! If you love bagpipes Palmer Library. ) or pipe bands this Concert is a must-see!

The Band are prior winners in Pipe Band The Rumbledethumps Concert promises Competition locally at the Alaska Scottish to deliver yet again a brilliant evening of Highland Games, in the Alaska Piping entertainment by an award-winning local and Drumming Society, and in the 2021 Pipe Band, with piping and drumming from & 2022 World Online Piping & Drumming the entire ensemble, as well as solos, and Championships, and several members have smaller groups of pipers and drummers within won solo awards in piping and drumming, the Band. Special Guests will also include a both here at home, internationally, and in performance from the Mat-Su Valley’s own online competitions!

Fireweed Fling Highland Dancers! What a great way to spend an Alaska autumn evening!

Admission to the Concert is free, but donations are always sincerely appreciated, Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums are very with proceeds to benefit Alaska Celtic Pipes active in the greater Anchorage area, the & Drums’ Education Fund, and the church Matanuska-Susitna Valley, and throughout youth group. Contact the Band via email at South-Central Alaska, and have great fun jungstensgericht@yahoo.com , teaching, performing, and competing. The or phone 907-315-9838.

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Community

VALLEY CHARITIES:

KIDS CARE PROGRAM IS THRIVING Kids who turn in their coloring pages can pick out a free book from turnA-leaf Thrift Store. They can also receive a free bookmark by showing their ‘Kids Care’ Membership Card.

Contributed Kimberly “Kiki” Kellar

MID-SEP 2023

With its official debut in September of 2020, the ‘Kids Care’ program was developed to encourage kids to express through their coloring pages an uplifting message beneath their artwork that they write for a special Mat-Su senior in the Mat-Su Valley.

and focus. By encouraging writing out a message, it also enhances writing skills.

‘Kids Care’ Club Draw, Color, Paint, etc. a picture that follows the ‘Kids Care’ month’s theme for your artwork creation. Please turn in your pictures to turn-A-leaf Thrift Store by the 15th. Your picture will hang in turn-A-leaf until the last Friday of the month. Then September is an exciting month for we will distribute your picture to a Senior everyone, with some extras. Kids who turn Center. Each month we’ll have a new in their coloring pages can pick out a free theme that we’ll post on Facebook and book from turn-A-leaf Thrift Store. They can inside our turn-A-leaf Thrift Store. also receive a free bookmark by showing their ‘Kids Care’ Membership Card. (Limited Kids pick up a ‘Kids Care’ Coloring Page at one per person to one coloring page per our turn-A-leaf Thrift Store’s cashier’s desk. month).

If kids don’t yet have a membership card, they can get their official membership card September 8th is International Literacy Day at any time during business hours for free. and this is a way we can honor the literacy Kids enter one colored page per month to endeavor for the state of Alaska as well as ensure that we have enough giveaways for honor the ‘Alaska Science of Reading’s | other kids to participate.

‘Increased Reading Increases Proficiency with their outreach to kids and parents.

For kids who aren’t quite writing yet, Parents can help by filling out the bottom Benefits of kids creating art while nurturing portion of the coloring page with: Child’s a charitable heart name, grade, the school they attend and write out the message your child would There are many positive attributes of like to share with a Mat-Su Senior. creating art. It’s a wonderful way to calm the mind and relax during periods of For questions, please contact boredom. Art builds fine motor skills when Kimberly Kellar by email at: kids grip on crayons, pencils, paintbrushes, Kimberly.Kellar@valleycharities.org etc., it increases dexterity, coordination,

September 18th @ 8AM Mobile Mammogram Willow, Alaska Sunshine Health Center Providence Imaging Center 24091 Long Lake Road, Willow (907) 212-3151 provimaging.com September 19th @ 8AM Mobile Mammogram Talkeetna Clinic Sunshine Health Center Providence Imaging Center 3430 South Talkeetna Spur Road (907) 212-3151 provimaging.com September 20th @ 6PM Ladies Night Out(doors) Revel Treks and Tours Blueberry Knoll (Government Peak Rec Area)N. Mountain Trails Drive Palmer info@revelak.com (907) 903-1664 September 23rd @ 8AM The MatSu Long Distance Team 5th Annual Running Relay North by Northwest Relays Hatcher Pass to Palmer (801) 664-2052 www.nxnwrelays.com September 23rd @1PM 2nd Annual Walk for Recovery MyHouse MatSu 1721 E Parks Highway Wasilla myhousematsu.org (907) 373-4357

September 29th @ 5:30PM Set Free Alaska 2023 Annual Gala for Freedom Mat-Su Church On the Rock, Palmer 619 S Scott Rd., Palmer SetFreeAlaska.org/Events September 30th @ 8AM 2023 Conference for Writers & Illustrators Alaska Writers Guild Rasmuson Hall, Anchorage University of Alaska Anchorage 3416 Seawolf Drive (907) 715-7950 September 30th @ 4PM Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums Rumblethumps Concert St. John Lutheran Church 44 E Elmwood Ave Palmer (907) 715-7950 September 30th @ 5PM Filipino-American Community Celebration of Culture Gala Mat-Su Kabayan Raven Hall, State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer (907) 322-9463 October 4th @ 3PM Banned Bookmobile Pop-Up & Read Out Out North, ACLU of Alaska & The Alaska Bookmobile Black Birch Books 2901 E Bogard Rd, #104 Wasilla contact@outnorth.org (907) 360-9664 October 7th @ 10AM Holiday Market at Good Shepard Lutheran Church www.goodshepluth.org office@goodshepluth.org 501 E. Bogard Road Wasilla (907) 355-4104

October 7th @5PM Oxtoberfest The Musk Ox Farm 12850 E. Archie Road Palmer muskoxfarm.org/oxfest123 October 7th @ 5PM Sleepy Halloween Festival Sleepy Hollow Golf Course FREE Admission, Food, Vendors, Petting Zoo, Treat Trail 2421 E Sleepy Hollow Cir Wasilla (907) 521-0151 October 7th @ 6PM Rotary Uncorked 2023 Wasilla Rotary Club Curtis Menard Sports Center 1001 S Clapp St Wasilla crtubbs@gmail.com (907) 727-7127 October 7th @ 7:30PM Mat-Su Concert Band Presents “Movies, Marches, & Melodies” at MatSu College Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E. College Drive Palmer www.matsuconcertband.org October 20th @7PM Haunted and Enchanted Trails Anchorage Parks & Recreation Goose Lake Park 3038 Widgeon Ln Anchorage myalaskatix.com/events/ hauntedtrails October 21st @10AM-6PM Fall Family Fun at The Reindeer Farm Williams Reindeer Farm 5561 S Bodenburg Loop Palmer (907) 745-4000 MID-SEP 2023

September 24 @8AM Alaska Raceway Park Drifting Event Alaska Sports Car Club 5599 S Race Way Palmer (907) 746-7223

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Calendar of Events

PAGE 6 MID-SEP 2023

Coloring Page

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

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Funnies

Jealena, 4

Noah, 7

Amelia, 9

Adlee, 8

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Books

A DREAM A COLORING BOOK & A PLUSHIE

“We know that these products are incredible, the only reason there is risk here is because we have to work very hard to get them in front of people now.”

If you would like to check out these new (now very real) products, come and support us at www.thealaskafrontier.com

bor Totoro, and knew we wanted to have something with real places in Alaska as well as weaving in local mythology.

Contributed by Phillip C. Flippo Earlier this year I remember sitting down with my business partner Derek and we were discussing how we could create new “meaningful and unique” products about Alaska.

We had already been doing calendars, mugs, decals, and all the usual low hanging fruit for years.

We spent weeks pitching ideas back and forth. However one day we decided to just ask ourselves, where did we want all this hard work to go anyway? Was all of this to turn a profit? Was it to bring happiness to people? Was it to help educate the next generation about Alaska?

About this time I found myself staring at a physical copy of an article I wrote about a ridiculous character I invented a while back called Adventure Bonnie... “What if we made a show, like a real animated series about Alaska?” Immediately we knew this had to be it, it was so clear how meaningful and special we could make this if we created it for all ages, not just for kids.

MID-SEP 2023

The Dream We however, had no idea how to create an animated series, we only had one character, their universe/art style was ill defined, and we hadn’t the faintest notion on how we could achieve this goal. There would need to be steps in between our future dream of an animated series and where we were at the time.

We reached out to the illustration team that originally drew Adventure Bonnie, explained to them our vision, and that we needed to create at least 4 more characters.

We spent the next 4 months creating new characters. We consulted with real Alaskans, Alaska Natives, photographers, naturalists, and historians to not only create new characters but also define what their world would feel like.

We drew inspiration from Adventure Time and My Neigh-

The Coloring Adventure Book & Plushie As if the dream of having an animated series wasn’t impossible enough, we also had no idea how to create a coloring book or make a plushie. Yet these seemed so much more achievable at the moment so we started making calls and writing emails. We sourced manufacturers, consulted with experts, reviewed design concepts, chose high quality materials, and worked round the clock trying to create something new and meaningful.

Every scene was to be either a real place in Alaska or detailed wildlife designs ranging from the simplistic to the very challenging.

We learned a couple days before we would go to print that we could basically double our content in the book. This was have to work very hard to get them in front of people now.” great news, but it also meant I now had about one day to rewrite my simple two sentence stories on each page into With that realization we spent a solid three weeks working now an entire book’s worth of flawless content in 32 hours. 10-16 hours a day across three states checking and rechecking every inch of the content/prototyping.

The plushie was its own challenge as it takes about 6 months to complete if nothing goes wrong. Not only that, We Actually Did It! but we decided to have our first plushie incorporate an 7,500 coloring books were coming, 2,000 plushies, and all animal character we created named Hatcher The Pika. we had to do was wait. We created a coloring adventure book featuring real Alaskan places/wildlife, along with all What is a Pika? new characters, that is educational, beautiful, fun (with lots They of course had no idea what it was when we were ask- of surprises), activities, and had an amazing storyline to ing to be created and we eventually had to (after 6 failed follow. We created a plushie featuring one of the rarest and prototypes) hire our actual illustration team to redesign most unknown animals on the planet that is a one of a kind it from scratch. Spoiler: As of today, we currently have the creation. only cute Pika plushie available on planet Earth.

We had no idea how to do any of this in February, but by Taking The Risk September everything had arrived and was starting to We eventually had in hand both prototypes, we knew they show up in peoples hands all over the country. were so special, but we actually needed to take the risk of now buying them in massive quantities for equally massive It will be a challenge of course to learn how to sell them amounts of money. Our team had several meetings basiand continue to introduce these new characters/products cally asking each other in as many different ways as you to a whole new market, but we actually did it! can imagine “Should we do this, are we insane?!” until my partner Derek and I finally settled on pulling the trigger Again we aspire to have an animated series one day, but based on one sentence... “We know that these products are these two projects have put us on a path to making that incredible, the only reason there is risk here is because we reality come true.

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buy 1 get 2nd at 25% off, buy 2 get 3rd 50% off, buy 3 get the 4th free! ALL MONTH LONG!

Activities

EST. 2007

READ MORE ON PAGE 8

MID-SEP 2023

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www.susitnabrewing.com

Writing ANNUAL WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS CONFERENCE

COMING SEPTEMBER 29TH & 30TH!

industry experts, talk shop with other writers, pitch to agents, and stay current on what is happening in the world of writing and publishing. This year, you’ll be able to learn from 17 agents, editors, publishers, authors, and other industry professionals from across the country, live and in person.

5120 S BIG LAKE RD. 907-892-2336

Friday will consist of pre-purchased manuscript reviews and optional workshops, such as: “Learning to Love Synopsis Writing” with Anjanette Barr, “Success in Self-Publishing” with Erick Mertz, “Six Elements of Story Structure for Romance Writing” with Jessica Snyder, and “Don’t Fear the Query (Or Those First Ten Pages)” with YA author and literary agent Eric Smith.

The main conference starts on Saturday, September 30th, with a keynote speech from Smith titled “Focusing on What You Can Control.” The day is packed with numerous breakout sessions on all kinds of writerly topics. From “Tricky Situations in Publishing” to “Crafting Characters with Depth and Dimension” to “Mindfulness Practices for Your Writing,” there will be something for everyone. The conference closes out with a panel discussion with our out-of-state faculty, a member book sale, and a silent auction to fund our Lin Halterman Grant.

907-775-1877 curtisnickerson@icloud.com

One of the greatest benefits of a conference is the camaraderie among attendees and faculty, who understand each other’s passion for writing, common struggles in the journey to publication, and the stresses of fitting writing in among all of life’s responsibilities. Lunch and break times will offer excellent opportunities to make genuine connections with fellow writers and our many knowledgeable speakers. Sharing and learning new ideas and skills with one another can prove invaluable to your endeavors.

Contributed by Heather Štefanec

MID-SEP 2023

Are you a writer looking to hone your craft or navigate the exciting world of publishing? Do you want to learn from literary agents and editors while hanging with your writer friends or making new connections? Then you won’t want to miss the Annual Conference for Writers & Illustrators this fall, September 29th and 30th, at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Hosted by the Alaska Writers Guild and the Alaska chapters of Romance Writers of America and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, we are pleased to partner with the UAA Department of Writing to offer discounted registration for the 2023 conference to all University of Alaska students and faculty, as well as members of our organizations.

No matter where you are in your writing or publishing career, the conference offers the opportunity to attend sessions to improve your writing, learn strategies about the business of writing, be inspired by bestselling authors, connect with

So please come and be inspired! Register on our website at alaskawritersguild.com/conference or in person each day of the event. We look forward to seeing you there!

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) www.mea.coop/mea-in-the-community meacontact@mea.coop (907) 761-9300 $1.6 million and counting! This is the financial impact MEA’s members have had in our community since 2011 when MEACF introduced Operation Roundup. To scratch the surface on those impacted by your generosity are our seniors, recreation, local agriculture, family services, food pantries, and everything in between.

We want to continue adding to this lost, so if you know of an organization interested in applying for the MEACF grant and has a specific project in mind, please check us out online for the application process - including financials. Grants are capped at $10,000 and are approved at each quarterly MEACF meeting. Individual grant requests are now completed through Connect MatSu; individual grant requests regarding a disability can contact Access Alaska.

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.

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, per-

sonal 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 5:00 and Saturday 8:00 to 5:00. 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.

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Poetry & Prose TRACES

WHEN THE STARS FALL

By Sharon Ann Jaeger

By Kathy-Jo Facteau

The roaches were bloated and slick--muy grande, Miami-style.

I killed one of them with TEXT PRODUCTION, the other with CIVILIZATION AND ITS DISCONTENTS. Knowledge has its uses.

I will not tell the library; these are, after all, not the covers’ first or only strange memorial splotches.

I miss the way we watched the stars fall, Racing towards us but burning out too soon.

Holding hands, squeezing now and then like a pulse, A pulse that ran between us, electric, hot, Igniting a slow burn that settled low.

Plucking at my fingers then, You’d lift my hand and kiss the finger tips.

I miss the way the only warmth we needed was ours.

The wonder of life beyond us expanded us.

Gave us questions, made us feel big As if space was there so we could fill it.

I wondered how long I’d have you: Your saucy humor, bold eyes, smart strategies.

Life was unquenchable then, irrepressible, vibrant.

Every street corner called our names.

Every wind tousled our hair, kissed out cheeks, Stole kisses even as we did, mischievously.

I miss the way we watched the stars fall.

Now…when I watch the stars fall, I wonder if that’s you blowing me a kiss.

ALIZARINE CRIMSON

By W.S. White

I remember the display of walnuts Autumn gourds And red delicious The house I remember best Before the North rush Uprooted from warm, ruddy hues The familiar vibrant fullness of youth To wild beauty Perilous, risks of careless loss Remote isolation Violent cold and crimson flow of Salmon season Now, the hearth is solitary Welcoming loneliness of advancing age The comfort of memories Burgundy oaks, and sherbet skies Retrieved from solemn moments Of apple butter fairs And reunions of bountiful provision A yearning The home of unflawed Account and gentle Retreat

THE SPIRIT OF YOUTH

By M.J. Bussman

Hold it gently cradle it so let it breath, expand, so it can grow Give it sunshine and space A walk on its own For the path will be hard the turns unknown Do not blanket the course nor soften the road We will stay ourselves breaking not the code Let them soar to be free themselves for to know

MID-SEP 2023

The wonder of being the pain of the soul Hold it gently cradle it so.

YOU AND ME

By Fred Glover

There used to be two of us Now there’s just one I think I know where you are But I’m not at all sure When I close my eyes I can see you crystal clear The second I open them Your image starts to blur I’m glad I can’t see the future I fear mine would be bleak I guess I’ll just stumble along Left in front of right I’ll try real hard to Not trip over my own two feet As I approach the finish line

THE RIVER

By Katherine Baker Those decades were, then, gone again, as the river flowed past each bend.

The truth is known but won’t be found, unless the river holds the sound.

Beyond a doubt, an absolute, is truth agreed without dispute?

And if not proven, is it truth, mere coincidence, hope, or ruth?

Perhaps our minds are not prepared, to contemplate each drop with care.

The river sounds, and, once again, continues flowing past each bend.

GOODBYE

By Charles Dean Walker

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: Strength #8 Ah Strength. There are myriad ways to be strong. I grew up in an environment where it was not safe to express my emotions nor was I taught how to process them in a healthy manner.

I was told that I was “Over dramatic, over emotional, over sensitive,” and when I cried, I was told that I “…needed to go look in the mirror to see how ridiculous I looked.” I carried the belief that how I was seen by others was most important, into my tumultuous adulthood.

The tipping point came when my best friend, turned fiancee, and I deeply hurt each other by choosing not to communicate, not healing individually and not continuing to grow together; ultimately ending our relationship. From then on, I chose to no longer live my life for others. Other peoples opinions and thoughts would no longer hold more validation than my own.

Now, as a 31-year-old woman I put the effort into making my mental health a priority.

Some days are harder than others. When my survival instincts set in, coming forward to save me, I feel as if electric shocks are running through my entire body, making me tense. I’ve learned that I project my fears on to others around me which is a mirror of the process I learned from the adults that raised me. That is to say that when I am feeling insecure, my assumption is that it is coming from outside me the same way that adult insecurities were transferred to me when I was unconsciously doing what I needed to regulate myself.

I am here to tell you that overcoming the words of others is worth the strength that it takes to get there. Remember that allowing yourself the space to feel through your emotions as they arise is strength. Being able to cry when you feel like crying, is strength. Following your heart when everyone around you says it’s a bad idea, is strength. Living your life for you, is strength. Waking up when your nervous system is in survival mode and fighting every moment to make it to the end of the day, is strength.

Calling out of work because you are aware enough that you need a mental health day, is strength. Spending the entire day hiding underneath your blanket because you can’t face the world and you need to spend that time alone, is strength. Allowing yourself the joy of switching from survival mode into thriving mode, is strength. Everyday that you are here, choosing to face another day on this Earth, is strength.

I am hear today to tell you, “You are strong.” In this upcoming month we may be pushed, and faced with many obstacles and challenges from external sources, but, you got this.

The truth is that everyone struggles and asking for help is strength.

More info? Contact Brittani with Grace at (907) 308-9135.

MID-SEP 2023

I barely knew this man, but in such a small stretch of time.

I hope he has peace.

One of the first groups of people to read something I wrote.

As I remember he said it was incredible.

I wonder if he kept reading my work.

But regardless, the most important thing is for him to have peace.

I remember him being a chill man.

Reading his obituary, it says he died of a broken heart.

Depression only eats off us who suffer from it.

May God finally grant him the peace of mind he never had on Earth.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Mysticism BRITTANI WITH GRACE: STRENGTH

PAGE 13

Poetry & Prose

PAGE 14

Books

THE FUTURE OF PURCHASING BOOKS IS...

BUYING DIRECT?!

“... When I earned USA Today Bestseller, I thought I’d finally made it, but as six figure authors dropped like flies, I realized it could all disappear. I wasn’t in charge of my business. Amazon was...”

When you buy direct, you’re now a person instead of just another dollar sign. I can create new content for you inspired by your review. I can send you the special editions when they come up, and so much more!

You get more for your money because I can offer deals Amazon & Barnes and Noble can’t. Right now, I’m adding bonus content to all of my books that will only be available at WhistlingBookPress.com. Along with bundles and coupons and savings, oh my!

The savings on Storyland, for instance, are insane!

But the biggest thing for me, is that you and I are builiding a relationship. The bond between reader and author doesn’t have to be a one-way street. That’s a great reason to look up your favorite authors, see if they’re offering their books on their site, and buy them.

Contributed by Frankie Blooding

direct.

I’ve been in publishing since the first days of e-books. Mine was one of the very first electronic publications offered in this latest storm. I remember hearing that these would take off about as well as the last ones did. That people would never buy electric books.

Readers hate it because they just want to buy a book and read it. They don’t want to add three steps to the process. Authors hate it because we’re not IT. We don’t want to be IT. We want to write books and sell them, not teach you how to download and open a book.

MID-SEP 2023

I didn’t care. We were pioneers, paving a pathway for the fearless, brave, and sometimes stupid to follow and it was amazing.

When I earned USA Today Bestseller, I thought I’d finally made it, but as six figure authors dropped like flies, I realized it could all disappear. I wasn’t in charge of my business. Amazon was. That thought reawakened my pioneering heart as a few of us boldly dared to go where we’ve never successfully been before; selling our books

want to know about my writing process. I get scant hours in the week to write new chapters, and that’s if I’m lucky.

Most of my time is spent on covers, formatting, web maintenance, ads, graphics, articles, my newsletter, planning a writer’s conference for young adults, editing, recording audiobooks, editing the audiobooks, accounting, project A few things have smoothed out over the management, scheduling, forecasting, and past couple of years, though, making this budgeting. If it sounds like a business, it is. a lot simpler, to the point that, for the past I do all of that while working a full-time year, I’ve been selling books on my own site job, managing my publishing house nearly and not losing my hair. full-time, and raising two amazing kids and a husband. Yes. I phrased it that way on But why would you leave Amazon and go purpose. I want as much of my royalties as to WhistlingBookPress.com to buy the book I can get so that one day, I can do less by that was already in your cart? Here are a earning more. The big stores keep a large few reasons. portion of your payment. So, I have to sell a lot more to make a little.

To better support your favorite author.

When I tell people I publish books, they You’re handing me control of my business.

So, what’s the process?

At WhistlingBookPress.com, when you buy an ebook, the download link will generate in your Thank You For Purchase window.

You can then download it to your device and open it from your Downloads folder.

Once you’ve opened it, you don’t have to search for it again.

But what happens if you have crappy cell reception, or the boss walks in and you have to close your window? You’ll also get two emails; one from me with a download link, and one from BookFunnel. If you’re technologically challenged, use the BookFunnel email. They’ll walk you through how to open your book, and they’ll even email it directly to your Kindle.

That’s pretty exciting, right? We have been working hard to find better ways to give you more value, and this is it! Come check it out at WhistlingBookPress.com! The future is near! And it looks incredible!

THE MUSK OX FARM PRESENTS

PAGE 15

Events

Contributed by Laura Beck, Musk Ox Farm PROXT! Our annual Oxtoberfest celebration occurs once again at the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, Alaska, on Oxtober 7th. Mark your calendars and buy your tickets for the social event of the year! The gorgeous rolling pastures, with 76 frolicking musk oxen framed by beautiful mountain ranges, provide an idyllic setting to celebrate the season with beer, brats, baked goods, and music by Alaska Blaskapelle!

Oktoberfest, the original German festival, is now a worldwide phenomenon celebrating Bavarian culture and flowing pints of beer. If you know the Musk Ox Farm, you know we can’t pass up an oxportunity for a musk ox pun and to showcase our rendition of this fabulous festival celebrated during our favorite month, Oxtober!

The first Oxtoberfest at the Musk Ox Farm took place in 2016 in partnership with the Alaska Farmland Trust to celebrate the Musk Ox Farm entering a conservation easement agreement to ensure that the land would remain farmland forever. The event sold out quickly and immediately emerged as our biggest fundraiser of the year at the Musk Ox Farm. Celebrating Alaska grown, raised, crafted, and brewed, this farm-to-table feast features Alaska grown in every way possible. Handmade pretzels, sauerkraut, pickles, bratwursts, and German potato salad are all part of the traditional Bavarian fare served up Alaska-style. Did we mention the wüderfully crafted local biers, cider, ales, and signature Oxtoberweizen?

You can’t have a celebration of this kind without music! The featured music of Oxtoberfest is always provided by Alaska’s finest 12-piece Lederhosen-clad brass polka band, Alaska Blaskapelle. Dust off your best polka or waltz, or at least come ready for a raucous chicken dance!

Oxtoberfest takes place on Saturday, Oxtober 7th. Doors and beer garden open at 5 p.m.; food and festivities kick off at 6 p.m. For more info: 907-745-4151; info@muskoxfarm.org; www.muskoxfarm.org/oxfest23

MID-SEP 2023

Guests can choose their own oxperience for this year’s celebration! Everybody is a VIP this year with Bier Tent admission tickets. A festive crowd on the back lawn under the beer tent enjoys a delicious feast with the first beer included. Or folks can celebrate like a Burgermeister with an upgrade to VIP Loft Seating. A few seats remain for upstairs hayloft seating, with full table service that includes all food, beers, wines, dessert, and much more. You will also have oxclusive access to the expansive viewing deck overlooking the band, festivities, and farm.